Galleria Nicolas opened its doors in September 2009 with the show from the late National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz in an exhibit titled: "A Tribute". Located on the 3rd Floor of Glorietta IV amidst signature boutiques and shops in Makati City, its eventual success earned more spaces in the business and shopping districts of Metro Manila, with galleries located on the 2nd Floor, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and on the 3rd Floor, Greenbelt 5, Makati City.
Galleria Nicolas is dedicated to promoting the best of Philippine Art, with a wide collection of works done by some of the most sought-after painters and sculptors in the country such as National Artists Abdulmari Imao and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, as well as internationally renowned artists like Presidential Medal of Merit Awardees Juvenal Sansó and Ramon Orlina, Eduardo Castrillo, Dominic Rubio, and Michael Cacnio.
Galleria Nicolas takes you into a world of elegance and discovery as you enter our white-washed gallery walls and are welcomed by the breathtaking paintings and sculptures, thoughtfully curated for your viewing pleasure. Galleria Nicolas offers an escape from the busy streets of Metro Manila to a quiet and relaxed ambiance, as it is envisioned to be home to modern art in the Art Space.
Galleria Nicolas Glorietta 4, 3rd Floor Art Space,
Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Courtyard Drive Makati,
1200 Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 534 3942
Email: info@gallerianicolas.com, gallerianicolas@gmail.com
Website: www.gallerianicolas.com
Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt 5, 3rd level,
Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Phone: +63 936 225 1226 or +632 7 0071137
Email: gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Website: www.gallerianicolas.com
Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center
2279 Upper Ground Level, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Text by Mikai Francisco
Artists’ reception on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5 PM
Galleria Nicolas presents a special three-man exhibition titled “Whispers of the Soul,” a visual invitation to take an intimate journey through the facets of human emotion, thought, and spirit. This exhibit features the works of Katrina Cuenca, RV Basco, and Oliver Ojeda, with each artist creating a unique window into the human experience with their distinct styles and materials.
This evocative collection of works explores the aspects of the self that often go unspoken — the subtle whispers of the human soul that shape one’s identity. Katrina Cuenca’s gilded abstractions are poignant besides being only mesmerizing. Her twisting pastel forms slowly unfurl on backdrops of gold leaf creating stunning representations of one’s evershifting psyche. Each gentle undulation captures the fragility and fluidity of thought and emotion.
Brilliantly contrasting Katrina Cuenca’s curvilinear shapes is the bold rigidity of Oliver Ojeda’s sculptural works. Ojeda presents a collection of sculptures made of metal sheets each colored in a striking hue. The artist approaches his pieces as subjective forms of abstract expression. As viewers follow the straight lines of his pieces, they are encouraged to look inward to draw their unique interpretations from their personal experiences. For Ojeda, each color evokes emotion and every stroke tells a different story in a way words can’t.
While Cuenca and Ojeda experiment with abstraction, visual artist RV Basco creates whimsical representational art that exudes the introspective atmosphere characteristic of his works. Basco depicts childlike figures playing in their dream-like environments. To the artist, the mysterious painted worlds each innocent figure inhabits are an extension of the subconscious. The hazy pastel colors and surreal landscapes feel both familiar and strange, inviting viewers to reflect on how reality molds the latent parts of the mind.
“Whispers of the Soul” is a celebration of the intangible aspects of being—a call to listen to tune in to the quieter currents of the human psyche. From delicate brushstrokes, bold sheets of metal, to peaceful representational scenes, Katrina Cuenca, Oliver Ojeda, and RV Basco seek to honor the quiet yet powerful forces that stir within each individual’s soul.
“Whispers of the Soul” by Katrina Cuenca, Oliver Ojeda, and RV Basco will run from December 5 - 19, 2024 with an Artists’ Reception on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3/F Greenbelt 5, Makati City.
For inquiries call +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Galleria Nicolas brings together an art exhibition of exemplary works in “Magnificent Treasure,” a pop-up exhibition at Greenbelt 5. This collection showcases the heights of Filipino artistry while presenting these pieces as unique treasures that capture specific moments and concepts. These works are framed as treasures, not only for their traditional value, but for the emotional, intellectual, and cultural wealth they impart to those who experience them.
The different facets of the human condition lie at the heart of “Magnificent Treasures.” This exhibition is an ode to the innate compulsion to express oneself — to react to the physical and emotional environment one inhabits. Through a collection of sublime visual representations of these creative reactions, it affirms that these moments of feeling and sensing the world are not only meaningful but worth treasuring and exhibiting. Each piece captures the depth of human experience across each of the participating artists’ backgrounds and stories and how these are manifested through their art.
This collection showcases a wide array of works that reflect the diverse modern and contemporary artistic sensibilities of some of the leading artists and masters the gallery has championed. This includes the names of Juvenal Sanso, Dominic Rubio, Katrina Cuenca, Patrick Esmao, Jepoy Almario, Almer Moneda, Ann Moneda, William Alvarez, Richard Arimado, Vic Bachoco, Jo Balbarona, Michael Cacnio, Joy Calanasan, Xander Calceta, Ronel Cainto, Norberto Carating, Astrid Castillo. Ed Castrillo, Nixxio Castrillo, Antonio Daleon, Patrick Esmao, Francis Evangelista, Fai Co, James Gabito, Raul Isidro, Jinky Lorenzo Reynoso, Art Lozano, Jerry Morada, Marge Organo, Perfecto Palero, Sonny Palles, Averil Paras, Jax Pasimio, Michael Pastorizo, Aljo Pingol, and Jay Ragma.
“Magnificent Treasures” elevates everyday human emotions and perceptions by bringing out their inherent value. As viewers navigate through this collection, they are invited to celebrate these moments as treasures in their own right. Furthermore, one is invited to pause and reflect on the profound sensations that shape their understanding of their world and unique circumstances.
“Magnificent Treasures” will be on view from November 30 to December 13, 2024. The exhibition is located at The Gallery – Amphitheater on the 2nd level of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. For inquiries call +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Birds and blooms have a mutualistic and interconnected relationship in nature. The reliance of birds on flowers for food and shelter, and dependence of flowers on birds for pollination further cement this vital connection to each other. Such is the wonder found in the natural world that some birds and flowers even coevolve to satisfy mutual needs.
These interactions have been the inspiration for art and literature from ancient times and as such, Artists’ Gilbert Semillano and Ella Hipolito further highlight this with the exhibits “Plumes and Petals” and “As the Gardens Sing”. In combining the mesmerizing beauty of Semillano’s avian subjects juxtaposed against multicolored blooms with Hipolito’s intricately crafted brass sculptures of birds and foliage, the artists together weave a colorful tapestry celebrating the beauty of nature. Semillano’s pieces strike a careful balance of boldness and subtlety, whether he's rendering the graceful movements of exotic birds or the sumptuous folds of lush flora. Likewise, Hipolito’s whimsical rendering of her chosen subjects in brass embraces elegance with timeless craftsmanship.
Gilbert Sabarez Semillano has been painting since before he could even write his own name. But the award-winning Creative Director's artistic journey extends far beyond the canvas. With over 12 years of experience leading global advertising campaigns, Semillano has developed a unique creative perspective - blending the power of storytelling with an intuitive painter's eye. His current focus is on what he calls "elegance art" - a refined style that reimagines the natural world.
Rizal Artist Ella Hipolito is a graduate of Fine Arts from the College of the Holy Spirit Manila. She worked as an Art Director prior to being a full time visual artist in 2015. She is Co-founder of the San Mateo Artists Guild, the first & only recognized art group in San Mateo, Rizal and has had several solo shows. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and art demonstrations and was a finalist in several prestigious competitions including the GSIS National Art Competition. She started sculpting in Brass in 2021 while continuously painting her whimsical works on Canvas.
Gilbert Semillano’s “Plumes and Petals” and Ella Hipolito’s “As the Gardens Sing” runs from November 12-24, 2024 with an Artists’ Reception on Wednesday, November 20 at 5 p.m. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is is located at 3/F Greenbelt 5, Makati City. For inquiries call +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Birds and blooms have a mutualistic and interconnected relationship in nature. The reliance of birds on flowers for food and shelter, and dependence of flowers on birds for pollination further cement this vital connection to each other. Such is the wonder found in the natural world that some birds and flowers even coevolve to satisfy mutual needs.
These interactions have been the inspiration for art and literature from ancient times and as such, Artists’ Gilbert Semillano and Ella Hipolito further highlight this with the exhibits “Plumes and Petals” and “As the Gardens Sing”. In combining the mesmerizing beauty of Semillano’s avian subjects juxtaposed against multicolored blooms with Hipolito’s intricately crafted brass sculptures of birds and foliage, the artists together weave a colorful tapestry celebrating the beauty of nature. Semillano’s pieces strike a careful balance of boldness and subtlety, whether he's rendering the graceful movements of exotic birds or the sumptuous folds of lush flora. Likewise, Hipolito’s whimsical rendering of her chosen subjects in brass embraces elegance with timeless craftsmanship.
Gilbert Sabarez Semillano has been painting since before he could even write his own name. But the award-winning Creative Director's artistic journey extends far beyond the canvas. With over 12 years of experience leading global advertising campaigns, Semillano has developed a unique creative perspective - blending the power of storytelling with an intuitive painter's eye. His current focus is on what he calls "elegance art" - a refined style that reimagines the natural world.
Rizal Artist Ella Hipolito is a graduate of Fine Arts from the College of the Holy Spirit Manila. She worked as an Art Director prior to being a full time visual artist in 2015. She is Co-founder of the San Mateo Artists Guild, the first & only recognized art group in San Mateo, Rizal and has had several solo shows. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and art demonstrations and was a finalist in several prestigious competitions including the GSIS National Art Competition. She started sculpting in Brass in 2021 while continuously painting her whimsical works on Canvas.
Gilbert Semillano’s “Plumes and Petals” and Ella Hipolito’s “As the Gardens Sing” runs from November 12-24, 2024 with an Artists’ Reception on Wednesday, November 20 at 5 p.m. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is is located at 3/F Greenbelt 5, Makati City. For inquiries call +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt presents its latest exhibition Second Nature, a group show of distinguished artistry in the field of painting and sculpture by Jerry Morada, Ralph Villaluz, and Nap Limaten. A tapestry of narratives on the transformative elements of flora & fauna, the collection is a fête for the senses, with masterly artworks manifesting the elusive relationship between man and nature.
Jerry Morada breaks boulders and shapes them into marvelous animal sculptures, ultimately unraveling the juxtapositions of human behavior and animalistic nature. Prying to explore the similar complexities of both species, Morada’s fascination for these creatures is attuned to his integral belief in psychological relationships – how humans interact in a way that is both rational and instinctive.
Ralph Villaluz's narrative is rather quaint, demanding further introspection. Communicating through a lush array of foliage and greenery, Villaluz’ speaks volumes through the minute details and nuanced perspectives. Here he presents a new style–exploring textures and patterns that highlight the beauty of his signature subject, as well as bringing in fresh interpretations on the meditative qualities of such plants and greenery.
Nap Limaten reenters the scene with stunning glass sculptures that mimic the treasures of rock formations. The artist reintroduces his adroit skill in sculptural work, now becoming one of the few glass sculptors in the country. His ability to shape and mold glass into organic, rock-like formations demonstrates a mastery of material manipulation, blending fragility and strength. Each sculpture captures the ethereal quality of natural landscapes, echoing the intricate formations found in caves and mountains.
The concept of ‘second nature’ in this exhibition is multilayered, exploring not only the inherent talents of these artists but also the deep-seated connection between humanity and the natural world. For Morada, Villaluz, and Limaten, the act of creation flows as instinctively as breathing—it is a natural extension of themselves, shaped by years of immersion in their craft.
“Second Nature” by Jerry Morada, Ralph Villaluz and Nap Limaten will run from October 4 – 15, 2024, with the Artist Reception on October 10, Thursday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Hirameki is a Japanese term translating to, “a flash of inspiration.” This manifests in moments of peace wherein one allows their imagination to run free, toying with the mundanity of different scenes and objects. It is in these moments of reverie that whimsical images are formed within the confines of a creative mind.
Inspired by this phenomenon, Jomike Tejido applies this concept to his latest solo exhibit of colorful abstracted cloud formations, “Hirameki: Cloudscapes.” The artist states, “Seeing fun images in clouds suggests the observer has a sense of inner peace, devoid of troubles and worries.” In this exhibit, he likens this playful approach to observing the world to an artist’s state of maximum creative productivity allowing viewers a glimpse into his creative process.
“Hirameki: Cloudscapes,” features Jomike Tejido’s signature abstract figurations rendered with atmospheric color palettes inspired by the natural beauty of the sky. Viewers are met with the delightful pink hues of inspiring sunrises, the bright blue expanses of a sunny sky, the pastel purples of beautiful twilights, the time-sensitive glow of the golden hour, and even the deep azure of a cozy cloudy day. The artist adds visual interest through the contrast between the geometric shapes that pepper his canvases and the fluffy, almost organic, forms. As if these abstract shapes are Tejido’s ideas starting to brew in his mind, the fine lines reminiscent of the marks of an architectural draft provide order to the cacophony of colors. These lines symbolize the artist’s love for the creative process — his enduring quest for the creation of beautiful things.
“Hirameki: Cloudscapes,” creates an overarching narrative of a creative mind wholly and peacefully absorbed in work and the beauty of the process itself. In his book, “The Manifesto of Play,” Tejido discusses how one should keep his mind busy at rest and silent at work. This exhibition further exemplifies his pointer. As viewers delight in Jomike Tejido’s atmospheric colors and playfully ethereal compositions, they are likewise invited to reflect on their own mental processes and how inspiration comes to them.
“Hirameki: Cloudscapes” by Jomike Tejido will run from June 15 – 24, 2024 at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt with an Artist Reception on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 5 PM. The gallery is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City.
For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
There lies an inherent beauty in the tenderness of life and its simplicity. And as normal people, we prefer to exist within the confines of comfort, convenience, and harmony. However, it is within those moments of vulnerability that we discover the depths of our resilience and the richness of human experience. Visual artist Perfecto Palero attempts to explore and elevate these musings through his latest exhibit, “Nestled in Nature”.
Illustrating scenes that feel familiar in the everyday, the artist vibrantly encapsulates the lives of communities from a bygone era in an otherworldly yet natural space – a space where art, music, and agriculture are at their most raw and pure. With this, Palero’s characters amuse themselves with activities that encourage a sense of togetherness; from string serenades atop mountains, to harvesting rice grains and painting live portraits in marbled fields that are bathed in vibrant color.
With the flowing energy of human activity, Palero’s spirited community is nestled in the terrains of nature and its mysticism. Through his compositions, the artist allows his imagination and intrigue to take over, ultimately creating a nature-induced world where humans celebrate the joys of waking life.
Perfecto “Buboy” G. Palero Jr. (b. 1980) is the President of MUSTRA, a Morong Rizal Artist Group. In 2012, Best Western Premier F1 Hotel commissioned Palero, along with 3 other artists, to come up with paintings exclusively for the hotel. The commissioned artists delivered approximately a substantial number of paintings which are now on display in the hotel’s 243 rooms. Also a former semi-finalist at the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE) in 2010, Palero’s first solo exhibit titled “Summer Hues” at the Art Gallery of the Philippine Heart Center was awarded “Best Solo Exhibit” during the gallery’s anniversary in 2014.
“Nestled in Nature” by Perfecto Palero will run from June 4 – 13, 2024 with the Artist Reception on June 11, Tuesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor, Glorietta 4, Courtyard Drive, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Visual artist William Alvarez explores hidden gems of nature through his latest exhibit, “Harmonia” – a collection of works that feature an arcane environment enriched with marvelous landscapes, stunning backdrops, and soaring heights.
The title "Harmonia" is a term that originated in ancient Greece, meaning "harmony" or "concord." It describes a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether in music, art, or social relations. Nestled in Alvarez’s towering mountains are its mystical inhabitants: characters from an era that once was, echoing impressions of life where humans thrived in the presence of the wilderness and its abundant resources.
The artist’s surrealist take on landscape art explores possibilities of the environment and human discovery. The result unearths a form of a lost paradise – an esoteric terrain where humans live harmoniously with the ever-yielding gifts of nature.
By combining imageries of abstract landscapes and human activity, Alvarez reshapes perceptions of life, ultimately inviting viewers to ponder on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. At its core, “Harmonia” challenges the viewers to reflect on our relationship with the environment, highlighting the beauty and significance of living in harmony with nature.
William Alvarez Jr.’s oeuvre is intended to create narrative compositions out of abstract sonic and visual impressions inspired by his native Morong and its people and environment. He has the ability to impart large and provocative themes to the audience through his abstract works. His aim is for the viewers to see beyond their current perception, creating a multi-layered experience that extends into their impression of reality.
“Harmonia” by William Alvarez will run from June 4 – 13, 2024 with the Artist Reception on June 11, Tuesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor, Glorietta 4, Courtyard Drive, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Going through the motions of life, one becomes intimately aware of the innate hardships that accompany its many moments. From childhood to adulthood, these uncertainties necessitate personal decisions despite the strong and sometimes overwhelming emotions that arise with them.
Acknowledging this, visual artist Haraya Tejido believes that each individual has the capacity to find joy and respite amid adversity. She states, “There will be some instances to balance off these situations, and we freely take them in with a light heart.” This is the graciousness granted by open acceptance of life’s circumstances.
For her latest exhibition, Haraya Tejido was inspired by the idea of this acceptance deeming it the key to finding inner peace and restorative balance in day-to-day life. “Open Arms” features a series of the artist’s signature stylized florals. The upward directionality of a flower’s growth, openly basking in the Sun’s nourishing rays, suggests an element of surrender. The outspread leaves and petals openly and graciously accept the life-giving light. This is while allowing space for neighboring blooms, not compromising other’s opportunities to grow and flower.
These themes are furthered by graphic gem-like forms superimposed upon the backgrounds of flowing lines and color. Haraya states, “These signify the precious nature of finding one’s balance when one learns to let the positive attributes in and the negative vibes out, therefore accepting what this wonderful life has to offer—with open arms.”
“Open Arms” is Haraya Tejido’s invitation to her viewers to learn how to live life graciously and with balance. It is a refreshing reminder that life’s challenges can always be taken with grace, one only needs to surrender to the moment to find the joy within the everyday.
Haraya Corazon Ocampo Tejido (b.1981) received her Marketing Management degree from the De La Salle University Manila in 2002. She unofficially started her art practice back in 2009 as a studio apprentice for visual artist Jomike Tejido, her spouse. Working on several pieces every month helped Haraya hone her skills, “as if it were art classes conveniently situated in our home studio” she narrates. In 2021, after more than a decade of working as an apprentice, Haraya ventured signing her own pieces that reflect her personal interests. Incidentally, opportunities for group shows arose, and from these foundations, her latest works have come to bloom.
Haraya describes her oeuvre as whimsical and stylized. Inspired by the beauty of nature, her flowers are graphical depictions of their real counterparts, intentionally shedding itself from the bounds of realism with her signature essential forms and uplifting color schemes. She intends for these blooms to serve as sources of strength, as well as provide healing refuge for one's eyes can rest. In connection to nature, motherhood encapsulated the context and point of view of Haraya’s credibility as a painter. Her use of a bright color palette and soft brushstrokes juxtapose a mother’s affectionate gaze with a child’s earnest expression.
“Open Arms” by Haraya Ocampo-Tejido runs from May 18 – 27, 2024, with the Artist Reception on May 18, Saturday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Vincent de Pio’s latest exhibit, “A Fluttering Gaze,” highlights the visual artist’s signature expressionist style punctuated with punchy bursts of color. His use of distinct palettes and expressive brush strokes create a heightened sense of dynamism in his bold compositions. In this exhibition, the viewer is invited to indulge in the artist's reflections on the living world as captured in these speculative works.
Having drawn inspiration from Japanese imagery in the past, Vincent de Pio’s fascination with Eastern philosophies lingers in his chosen subjects. As recurring motifs in traditional Japanese art, flowers, and birds symbolize the natural world's innate rhythms — the constant crescendos and diminuendos of nature’s cycles. Awestruck by these silent symphonies, this same reverence for the dynamics of nature carries on to this collection.
Situating his bird-and-flower imagery alongside portraits of poised women, the artist furthers his works as a form of contemplation on the elusive. Partially obscured and almost consumed by the surrounding flora, the mysterious quality of the painted women begins to draw parallels between nature and human behavior. What emerges is an inquiry into similarity and dissimilarity. How is the flutter of a bird’s wings as it perches on a windswept branch akin to the flutter of a woman’s eyelashes in a solemn glance? How much of nature’s essence can be found in the natural sway of the human psyche?
“A Fluttering Gaze” presents the musings of an artist transfixed by the rhythms of nature’s inaudible songs. Creating visual representations of how humans are connected to the rest of the living world, Vincent de Pio encourages the viewer to live life in constant awe of nature and its inherent mystery.
“A Fluttering Gaze” by Vince de Pio runs from May 7 – May 16, 2024, with the Artist Reception on May 16, Thursday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
The Senbazuru, the art of folding a thousand paper cranes, holds a multitude of philanthropic beliefs in Japanese tradition, signifying happiness, loyalty, and strength, and is believed to fulfill the folder’s wish. The crane itself is an auspicious creature in the country’s folklore, presumed to have lived for a thousand years. Enamored with this tradition, Jo Balbarona reignites this practice through striking visuals of dynamic style and cultural substance, staging a vivacious scene where the paper cranes fly free, akin to the true spirit of the creature.
“A Thousandfold” features Balbarona’s collection of stylized paper cranes, showcased in a grandiose assembly of colors, patterns, and textures, and staged in a kaleidoscopic terrain in an attempt to replicate a body of cloud, water, or mountain. With this, the paper cranes breathe vibrant life onto the canvas, meant to fly and roam around the space they inhabit, suspended in ideal moments where every detail is perfectly captured.
Meant to serve as an homage and a symbol of the Senbazuru, the exhibit also embodies a part of life in all its ebbs and flows, with every movement of the paper crane animated – every peak and valley displayed. With this in mind, the works are a humble reminder of life’s fragility, not as a weakness but as a power. Fold by fold, a paper crane can fly to its peak yet still descend, representing the cycle of existence where soaring moments of triumph and gentle descents of introspection are intertwined with the true nature of human experience.
Joan Antonio Balbarona (b.1977) is a self-taught artist from Hindang, Leyte. She studied Food Science and Technology at UP Los Baños. Joan has worked as a 3D animator and video editor and now is a full-time artist. In 2013, she had the chance to study at the Art Students League of New York, under the tutelage of the well-known abstractionist Ronnie Landfield. She was one of the finalists in the non-representational category in the 2017 GSIS national art competition for her abstract “Ang Pagtangis ng mga Ibong Pipit”. She was also a finalist in the 2017 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence for her sculpture entitled “The Colony”.
To date, Balbarona has held multiple, well-received solo and group exhibitions around the country. She was on the front cover of Art Plus Magazine’s Issue 83, as well as a collaborating artist in Galerie Joaquin Collective’s exclusive merchandise such as watches, art prints, and tote bags.
“A Thousandfold” by Jo Balbarona will run from March 5 – 14, 2024, with the Artist Reception on March 6, Wednesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
“Inanimate Inspirations” by Xander Calceta will be on view from April 11-22, 2024 with an Artist Meet and Greet on April 14, 3-5 pm at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.
Meaning “flowers and women” in Latin, “Flore et Feminae” hearkens to Aileen Lanuza’s favored subjects and what they divulge about the female soul. The seeming omnipresence of flowers and floral motifs within the artist’s oeuvre reveals a captivation with the visual character of various blooms. Arranging these skillfully rendered flora alongside her female subjects vested in traditional Filipino dress, Lanuza composes her works as inquiries into the archetypal Filipina.
The artist paints her delicate floral arrangements alongside partially concealed women – revealing only their eyes to onlookers. Lanuza proves her masterful command over her medium through the subtlety of expression she conveys through the eyes alone. It is through the eyes Lanuza reveals the character of her subjects – whether it be a soft look, a stony glare, or a forlorn glance, that the artist is more interested in capturing these nuances of emotion rather than rendering the full unobstructed female form. This intentional manipulation of what is revealed and concealed to the viewer transforms her craft into an act of rebellion. In an art world that has historically delegated the role of beautiful object to female bodies, Aileen Lanuza defiantly frames women as the emotional embodied subjects of her works.
Rendering her signature floral compositions alongside these portraits, Aileen Lanuza allows the delicate character of flowers to coexist with the nuance of women’s emotions. Beauty and tenderness meld with the emotional and complex to paint a picture of the Filipina soul. Like a flower’s twisting stems and unfurling petals, Lanuza’s works unfold as a demystification of femininity as a heterogeneous network of experiences; the Filipina anima emerges as something mysterious and intense yet altogether beautiful.
Aileen Lanuza completed her studies at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts where she was a consistent college scholar graduating with honors. She has participated in over 30 group exhibitions and her paintings have been included in auction houses Larasati, Masterpiece, and Borobudur, and have been featured in publications such as “A Treasury of Philippine Nudes”, “Larasati, Pictures of Asia”, and “100 Years, 100 nudes” by the UP Alumni Centennial celebration.
“Flore et Feminae” by Aileen Lanuza will run from April 14 - 23, 2024 with an Artist Reception on April 19, 2024 at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
“Deciphering the intricacies of a woman proves challenging, for within her, a storm and tempest reside. Yet, under her masterful control, these emotional tumults propel her to soaring heights.” – Daniel dela Cruz To grasp a woman’s soul is to traverse the delicate balance between serene beauty and enigmatic chaos. One must coexist with the other for it is what makes her soul unbroken, resilient, and humane. Daniel dela Cruz, one of the foremost sculptors of his generation, is a much-celebrated talent for empowering the female perspective – a beloved subject of his since his artistic emergence in 2006.
Conquering almost 2 decades in the field, the artist's essential motif remains, consistently creating lasting impressions rendered in a glorious fusion of mixed metals, ultimately conveying a brave message; to be a woman is to remain unfettered, to untether oneself from the patriarchal strings of constraint – influenced by psychological, societal, economical and ideological belief.
For his latest exhibition, the artist gracefully transforms elements of hard and sturdy metal into pronounced forms and lustrous silhouettes. “Understanding her requires navigating the delicate balance between the tranquil beauty and the powerful storms within, appreciating the resilience that enables her ascent to dizzying peaks, guided by the poetic intricacies of her soul,” says dela Cruz. As a result, his resplendent muses reach high above, overcoming obstacles in unbridled poses, staged in a euphoric dance to the summit.
In essence, the exhibition stands as quintessential poetry of a woman’s love, grace, and strength, contrary to life’s inherent peaks and valleys. With this, Daniel dela Cruz’s themes endure the test of time for his works transcend boundaries, capturing the eternal essence of a woman.
“UNBRIDLED” by Daniel dela Cruz will run from April 25 – May 4, 2024, with the Artist Reception on April 25, Thursday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Daniel dela Cruz’s (b. 1966) journey to becoming an artist began during his childhood; he was fond of creating indistinguishable forms out of clay. A Filipino by birth and sensibility, his natural artistic skills were discovered during his freshman year at college and gained him a measure of fame. Nonetheless, having been raised by parents who were bent on educating their five children as professionals, Daniel was expected to study and practice medicine or law. Despite his reluctance, he tried his best to please them and pursued courses in both fields. These attempts did not turn out very well but Daniel still obtained a degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of the Philippines in 1991. Upon graduation, Daniel bravely decided to follow his heart and intuition and strike out on his own.
In 2007, he mounted his first solo exhibition, Kandungan, themed as a tribute to women and giving birth to what would be his signature and trademark: robust women defined with grace, strength, and wonderful movement. This initial success led to a second exhibit of works called Parangal, in April 2008. The artist’s tribute to Christ featured gaunt, elongated forms which were a dramatic contrast to the robust women of Kandungan. In less than a year, the word about Daniel dela Cruz was out.
Internationally, Daniel brought the Philippines honor and fame by winning the coveted Gold medal for the “Festival of Nativities” in Rome, Italy in December 2008. Daniel’s Nativity sculptures won the highest honor in a field of 131 entries from 71 countries. The professional designer-turned-artist now had a following within Manila’s art community, and along the way, had raised the bar for the established contemporary sculptors in the country.
In the early 20th century in Albert Einstein’s theories of relativity, time was described as physical and dynamic, relative as opposed to being absolute, and limitless. Einstein concluded that all “nows” – past, present and future – must exist simultaneously. Science, philosophy, religion, and the arts have different definitions of time, but the one constant is that time is the progression of events from the past to the present into the future. It is not something determined by sight, touch, or taste, but we can measure its passage.
Milmar Onal reflects on this in his 12th solo exhibition “The Tides of Time” as he delves into the relation of his own personal growth and the unstoppable movement of time like the ever changing tides of events or circumstances in his own life. Onal’s constant search for meaning, yearning for growth and longing to progress is at the center of his practice. His unceasing goal to adapt and hurdle whatever obstacles life throws his way remains unchanged in his pursuit of excellence in his field.
Visual artist Milmar Ignacio B. Onal received his degree in Fine Arts Major in Painting from the University of Santo Tomas(UST). Aside from participating in multiple exhibits, he also worked for TV and theater productions. Onal also took a course at the ITC (Institute of Technological Courses) under UST’s Department of Engineering that led him to develop a practice inspired from electrical flow and circuitry. Milmar Onal’s minimalist art pieces, such as his abstract landscapes, communicate a sense of simplicity in visually describing places and figures. His body of work tells a tale with no beginning and no end, a manifestation of the human mind’s limitless potential.
“The Tides of Time” by Milmar Onal will be on view from April 24-May 3, 2024 at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.
An age old genre that traces its history across movements, cultures and periods, still life (also known by its French title, nature morte) paintings features as its subject, an arrangement of insentient or inanimate objects. These are not limited to fruit and flowers and household items like glassware and textiles. This type of art was at one time described by Édouard Manet as “the touchstone of painting” with major artists like Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso sharing the Impressionist artist‘s view.
In “Inanimate Inspirations”, Xander Calceta continues to use still life as a means to show the fleeting temporality of human existence and as a reflection/window to domestic life. His reimagining of quietly rendered still lifes coupled with a play of light and shadow on his various subjects allows his viewers not only a portrayal of a moment but to literally be in the moment.
Calceta’s intimate take on still lifes pays homage to humble objects, allowing his viewers to see them in a different light. He allows a certain balance and harmony in his pieces which revisit classic themes but stay rooted in his intent to convey a visual dynamism amidst the stasis of his chosen subjects.
Xander Calceta is a self-taught contemporary realist painter/artist whose main medium is oil painting. His versatile approach and art style is contemporary impressionism, which also includes Naturalism to Hyper Realism. He also occasionally does Non-representational paintings and Assemblage arts.
“Inanimate Inspirations” by Xander Calceta will be on view from April 11-22, 2024 with an Artist Meet and Greet on April 14, 3-5 pm at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.
The essence of pouring oneself into one’s work transcends the mere act of creation. It is a testament to the power of human emotion, creativity, and dedication. To create is a reminder that at the intersection of skill and soul lies the potential to make something truly remarkable, something that carries within it the indelible mark of its creator. Woven into the fabric of its creation, is a celebration of the profound connection between the creator and their work, between human effort and its impact on the world.
For her latest, exhibition, Jax Pasimio pays homage to her craft in an ardent display of intricately composed dots of floral figurations. Enjoining the concept of Meraki–a Greek word that denotes the act or process of creating something out of pure love and passion, and her familiar subjects of ornate compositions, Jax Pasimio melds a visual symphony of delicately rendered rhythmical works that investigate the narrative of the transcending power of art, highlighting the experience over the image itself.
Consequently, “Meraki” is a bold testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to create something that goes beyond the perceptual understanding and limitations of our own capacities. Jax Pasimio’s tenacious vigor to create proves that in a world increasingly dominated by mass production and automation, works that are the result of heartfelt dedication stand out as beacons of individuality and authenticity. They remind us of the value of human touch and the irreplaceable magic of persistence, passion, and truth.
Visual artist Jax Pasimio is a graduate of Behavioral Science from De La Salle University. Pasimio also finished a short Digital Arts course from the First Academy of Computer Arts. As a visual artist, she states that her source of inspiration comes from the interconnection of human patterns with the outside world. Elaborate motifs, vibrant colors, and intricate detailing are all hallmarks of her visual style.
Pasimio’s works have been constantly showcased in various local group exhibitions since 2015. She is currently a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (ANG INK) and is one of Galerie Joaquin’s represented artists.
“Meraki” by Jax Pasimio will run from April 3 – 12, 2024, with the Artist Reception on April 9, Tuesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt presents the latest solo exhibition of Kenneth Montegrande, entitled “The Greatness of Simplicity”, where the artist brings to his audience the surprising output of more than three years of internal sublimation – Montegrande’s minimalist series. The product of introspection after a life-threatening battle with COVID-19 in 2021, the minimalist series can be understood to be the current expression of the artist’s spirituality, a faith that is so deeply rooted it results to a clarity that allows for the enjoyment of the grace that is daily life; the next step to his earlier works that highlighted awe and the sublime, which reflected more his surrender to the Divine and immediate gratitude for surviving the ordeal.
Kenneth Montegrande has for over two decades been known for his explosive abstract expressionist works and dramatic, high-contrast sea-and-cloudscapes. In “The Greatness of Simplicity”, the celebrated artist eschews the highly active even manic approach of his gestural abstraction for its placid opposite of subtle minimalism, resulting to 16 elegant minimalist abstracts that transmit ethereal lightness as opposed to the grounded solidity of earlier works, and 10 serene cloudscapes more akin to calmer rhythms of a pastorale as opposed to heroic and overwhelming symphonic sea-and-cloudscapes of his recent works.
Montegrande’s minimalist works in both the abstract and cloudscape series make use of a calmer analogous palette of near tonal value, highlighted with a bright accent of white, yellow, powder blue, or pastel ranges of secondary colors like orange and green. Primary reds, and other active colors found in earlier works are not used to give a more contemplative mood for the works. Consistent heavy impasto has given way to a thin layer of paint made translucent through a dry brush technique highlighted with touches of impasto in both his abstracts and cloudscapes. Through Montegrande’s more minimal, more refined approach, the affinities of his cloudscapes to his abstract works are more obvious as both show the basic composition of most of his works – a low horizon of heavier hues that builds up to brighter, lighter colors in the center and upper thirds of the canvas. Half of the cloudscapes appear brighter; particularly the impressionistic landscapes that are distinct for the presence of green in the palette, stressing for Montegrande the brighter and lighter side of life. While the other half is consistent with his more known cloudscapes that focus on chiaroscuro, stressing how darkness heightens light, which, for Montegrande, is how he finds the constant presence of the divine during times of tribulation. Showing more maturity, self-assuredness, and restraint, the works retain their dynamic qualities despite letting go of the feverish urgency of earlier works. These minimalist works show more consideration, and yet remain fresh as a new day. Indeed in this exhibition, and in his new minimalist style, Montegrande has succeeded in showing the greatness in simplicity. His works from his minimalist style provide a soothing balm to the over stimulus we encounter in daily life and remind us of the joy in gratitude for simply living.
Kenneth Montegrande (b. 1979) is a self-taught Filipino abstract painter with the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian artist whose works have been collected by Japanese billionaire and distinguished art collector Yusaku Maezawa, and whose works are included in the Tokyo-based Contemporary Art Foundation. In that collection, his work is in the company of a world record-breaking Basquiat, as well as select works of internationally renowned artists like Bruce Nauman and Alexander Calder. He also has the distinction of having two of his works as part of the permanent collection of the Malacañang Palace Museum and Library. Last November 2023, he had an international solo exhibition at the historical Hongkong Visual Art Centre wherein National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab) was a Guest of Honor.
“The Greatness of Simplicity”, by Kenneth Montegrande will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from February 23-March 3, 2024 with the Artist Reception on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
The language of flowers is a tradition based on a combination of mythology, religion, regional folklore, and literature. Although it varies from culture to culture, flowers have been associated with a deeper meaning beyond just being simply decorative and ornamental. The usage of flowers and their attributed meanings to convey messages and emotions was a means of communication initially in romance and courtship but has continued to evolve since its initial foray during the Victorian era.
Following the protocols of Victorian-era etiquette, flowers were essentially used to deliver messages that couldn’t be spoken out loud. Nearly every sentiment imaginable could be expressed with how flowers were presented and deciphering the meaning behind these became an almost natural endeavor. In art, flowers laden with symbolism figured prominently in artists’ work as they focused on idealistic portrayals of women, emphasis on nature and morality, and use of literature and mythology.
For artist Camille Dela Rosa, conveying her emotions through classic depictions of various floral and botanical subjects continues to be both challenging and liberating. As with her 2023 exhibit “Floral Waltz,” Camille continues to control her narrative using the intricacy of her chosen subjects as the focal point of the message she wishes to impart. It is as if every piece contains its hidden message simply waiting to be explored and deciphered.
Camille D. Dela Rosa (b. 1982) studied at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Her works, commencing in 1998, include Impressionist gardens, landscapes, and seascapes, among others. Her father is the late Ibarra Dela Rosa, a prolific painter, art educator, poet, and philosopher. Camille's father did not teach her how to paint, so, after his death in 1998, she taught herself and pursued her own artistic vision using her father's style and previous paintings as inspiration. Camille Dela Rosa mounted her first solo exhibition at the age of 16.
The Language of Flowers by Camille Dela Rosa runs at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from February 13-23, 2024 with an Artist Reception on February 20, Tuesday at 5 PM. The gallery is located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Villaluz’s art is more than a visual feast. It is an exploration of the interconnectedness between humans and nature. By zeroing in on the minute details of leaves and foliage, Ralph Villaluz seamlessly weaves an intimate dialogue between his subjects and the observer, where the latter becomes a silent spectator of its own existence.
For his latest exhibition, visual artist Ralph Villaluz takes us on a philosophical journey where we find meaning in the details that often escape our notice. Rendering various natural patterns found on Colocasia leaves and Anthurium Foliage, Villaluz visually reinforces the inherent meditative quality found even within nature’s tiniest details. The artist shares, “I always consider reconnecting to nature by visiting my garden. Most of the time, I visualize and capture important details by looking at how light affects colors in the leaves, the trailing fibers on found wood, and even the soil. It is important to include these details in my works.”
At its core, Ralph Villaluz’s “Verdant Vistas” is an invitation to find the reflective and sincere connection between man and nature, viewed from a lens where its meaning is in the still and unnoticed. Where its essence lies in the fluidly rendered representations of nature that inhabit various forms of expression, ranging from intense passion to the fleeting delight portrayed by their unique handling of color, line, and composition; And by placing their primacy framed and on display, they slowly unravel the intangible magnitude of the human condition.
Ralph William Villaluz (b. 1986) is a visual artist from Quezon City, Metro Manila. Art has always been a hobby since his primitive years; creating paper cut-outs of character illustrations, watching sci-fi films, and playing RPG games. This hobby became a passion once he discovered a zeal for nature and its rudimentary elements. “Art is my soul and nature simply fuels it,” Villaluz states. His eye for artistry further developed his academic learnings in figurative art, gradually utilizing his core skills once he transitioned into abstraction.
He studied Painting at the University of the Philippines Diliman, and received his Fine Arts in Advertising degree from the Far Eastern University. His enthusiasm for gardening emanates in his art process, much like how he pays great attention to ornamental plants with unique colors and patterns. “I've found my glory in planting and growing plants, finding satisfaction in my garden is my form of therapy, a source of inspiration and contribution to the community as well as to mother nature itself,” Villaluz states.
Villaluz describes his artmaking as a spiritual connection to nature, in which his foliage works act as a bridge toward his continuous effort to understand the life he inhabits and surrounds. He hopes his art be a sanctuary to life’s uncertainties; a parcel for us to pause, reflect, and breathe. “These meanings create the foundation where I work my art, taking the leaf as the basic representation of nature to manipulate and transform,” the artist concludes.
“Verdant Vistas” by Ralph Villaluz will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from January 17 – 28, 2024 with the Artist Reception on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Dominic Rubio has always been a trailblazer of an artist. Most recently, on the occasion of his 53rd birthday he had a much acclaimed and well-received exhibition titled: ‘Dominic Rubio x Augmented Reality’ in Galerie Joaquin Rockwell, at the Power Plant Mall.
In that show, Rubio presented several works in oil on canvas in celebration of his 53rd birthday as well as a celebration of the Filipino way life. Rubio makes it a point to present the Filipino as part of a community, a family, or a group of people as they go about their day to day activities. The charm in his work is that Rubio is able to take images from our past whether it be the colonial, recent or distant past and combine them with modern day activities and modern day people. The Rockwell exhibit had the artworks moving in a two-dimensional space as part of the augmented reality concept in presenting his artworks.
Always one step ahead of others, this Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Galleria Nicolas in Greenbelt 5, Rubio will be launching his exclusive watch collection. To complement these unique watch designs Galleria Nicolas will be presenting several artworks and sculptures that portray the timelessness in Rubio’s masterly themes.
For inquiries, contact +63 936 2251226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Artist-activist Caress Banson celebrates the priceless gifts of life through riveting visuals of abstracted forms. In her latest exhibit “Color Sonata”, the series explores human connection through saturated silhouettes of flora & fauna, inviting viewers to momentarily immerse themselves in the serene visual experience brought about by an orchestra of colors.
The exhibition revisits Banson’s acclaimed abstractions of flowers and still life. Yet in this series, her flowers take on styles, forms, and compositions anew – bold swabs of brushwork breathe a sense of spirit onto the canvas, with hues and figurations reminiscent of summertime. Color is the foundation that binds all the elements together, becoming part and parcel of the artist’s oeuvre.
Further, Banson’s spiritual affinity to color acts as a tool to express her emotions and memories – “Happy Places” as she calls them, tainting her fading past with a palette of bright and bold, hoping to retell the nostalgic joy felt during that period.
At its core, “Color Sonata” is a kindred retelling of Banson’s past, present, and beyond. Using colors as visual cues to her relationship with nature; her works not only capture the essence of her memories but also invite the audience to engage in their own introspective reflections.
Artist-activist Caress Banson uses her abstraction practice to benefit a greater cause. She is an active patron of Feeding Metro Manila (FMM), a hunger relief charity focused on supporting meal centers in Metro Manila. Its biggest priority is to feed preschool and elementary school children who are undernourished. Her dedication to socio-civic issues has earned her widespread admiration throughout all sectors of society. Fearless and impulsive as her art, Caress Banson is a force of nature to reckon with. Color is her language and inspiration for her lively and vibrant works. She deems service and bringing joy essential in her life, thus why her art is dedicated to advocacies close to her heart.
“Color Sonata” by Caress Banson will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from December 20 – January 3, 2023. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
There is a deeply poetic tone in how a child's developing mind is faced with the reality of life and all its psychological implications: logic, emotion, and philosophy. Visual artist RV Basco has always been fascinated with the dichotomy of looking into an adult’s frame of mind through the eyes of a wandering child, believing that this parallel symbolically reveals unspoken truths about the challenges of growing up, as well as facing adulthood.
“Chamber of Reflection”, RV Basco’s latest solo exhibition at Galleria Nicolas in Greenbelt, enters an enigmatic terrain surrounded by a body of water – gentle and harmless, yet the characters remain afloat, ultimately keeping their heads above water.
Further, Basco’s lowbrow motifs playfully misuse objects to portray symbolic imagery, emphasizing the child characters’ train of thought, extending the role of figuration in the curious, existentialist world that is RV Basco’s artistic compositions.
At its core, “Chamber of Reflection” serves as an emblematic mirror to us, adults of the 21st century, translating our greatest ruminations in life through the lens of innocence, wonder, and wisdom as an attempt to unveil our innate vulnerabilities.
A graduate of a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Industrial Design from the University of Santo Tomas in 1995, RV Basco was a professional Industrial Designer who fully pursued his passion for the visual arts in 2016.
Many of his works depict figuration and social realism. Basco wanted to portray the lives of people dealing with their struggles. The artist’s interest in portraying the common man started decades ago when he lived in the Malate district of Manila. As Basco progresses with his promising career in visual art, he continues to explore different facets of his notable style. As a visual artist, RV Basco integrates myth, allegory, and fable as a means of comprehending the intricacies of life.
“Chamber of Reflection” by RV Basco will be on view from December 6 – 17, 2023 with the Artist Reception on December 8, Friday at 5 PM. Galerie Joaquin BGC is located on the Upper Ground Floor of One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 5th Ave. Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, contact +63 915 739 1549 or email galeriejoaquinbgc@gmail.com. latable to adults
Visual artist Victor Secuya’s oeuvre represents an endless journey to finding the true self, depicted through cultural impressions and motifs. “True Identity”, as the artist titles it, is a culmination of Secuya’s deepest subconscious – ever-questioning, and eventually unpacking, the authenticity of his true nature as a creative. “For years I’ve been trying all sorts of methods, styles, and directions. Gradually, the universe revealed the shadow of my true self, my true identity as a painter,” Secuya narrates.
His inner dialogues from his respected career as a passionate artist slowly yet steadily reached a pivotal mark, creating a complex vocabulary of deep hues, defined patterns, and new perspectives. Further, his spiritual enlightenment gained him a clearer mindset on his stride to the ever-changing course of life, now equipped with a greater landscape of his soul. Viewers see this through a visual odyssey that mirrors concepts found in South African culture, in which his sojourn deeply resonated with his philosophy and vision.
With these in mind, Secuya poses a hopeful question to himself: “Where do I go from here?” Yet this time, the artist knows the answer. “To be faithful to my true identity,” Secuya states.
Victor Cabuga Secuya (b. 1957) is a reclusive personality often misunderstood because of the directness in his people engagements and not-so-rare piercing interrogations that can force one into uncomfortable self-reflection. His former students of Humanities and Philosophy named him a terror; but for those who know him up close and personal, he is a warm guru who desires that every person be the best of himself. He values self-discipline, and while he loves being with people, he treasures solitude and being alone in his studio the most.
Secuya grew up in the seminary and in his teens became enamored by the quiet and simple lifestyle of the Buddhists, Taoists, and Trappist monks. Through the years, the artist honed his craft like a monk in the monastery. In silence and solitude, he embraced his art tightly and completely for the past 40 years.
“True Identity” by Victor Secuya will be on view from November 25 – December 6, 2023 at Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center with an Opening Reception on November 25, Saturday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.
Mounting his 16th solo exhibition on the white-washed walls of Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt, contemporary artist Joseph Tecson seizes the world of fine art, grasping delicate moments of respite with his bold compositions of energized blooms.
Tecson’s keen resonance with flora stemmed from a significant breakthrough in his personal life. At the height of the global pandemic, the artist found solace in the midst of verdant treasures, found in his father’s budding flower farm. “I want to represent what my dad did in the farm,” Tecson states. In an attempt to find a silent retreat, as well as to honor his father, the artist unearthed inner tranquility in the form of striking blossoms.
Here we see Tecson’s innate boldness when it comes to creative expression, untethered from the ‘traditional’ way of painting flowers. “I tried to make it as abstract as possible,” Tecson mentions. In fact, thick slabs of paint saturate every corner of the canvas, as if imitating the very nature and element of a real flower, in his own brilliantly twisted way. “I think how I paint really is a little violent”, he cheekily adds. The result bears an artistic style anew; bravely different from his, rather darker, works culled from his struggled past.
Tecson learned how to paint during a period of incarceration (2008-2012). Still, he found solace in those dark times, a “beautiful disaster” as he calls it, leading him to realize the transformative power of art and the capacity for personal growth even in the most challenging of circumstances. “I wouldn’t be an artist today if I didn’t go through that experience,” Tecson tenderly states.
Thus the title “Quatervois” is coined, indicative of Tecson’s turning point in his artistic career, as well as his ending battle with his dark past. Finding time to pause and reemphasize his intentions as a passionate creative, Tecson’s organic visuals feel like a breath of fresh air, representing a new path in Tecson’s personal journey to spiritual growth.
Joseph Tecson (b. 1985) is a contemporary artist hailing from Metro Manila, Philippines. Self-taught, Tecson acquired his painting skills while he was incarcerated between 2008 and 2012. When he was acquitted of the charges, the artist had already been part of numerous exhibitions including his first solo at Mag:Net Gallery in Quezon City titled “Inmates”, a series that featured 50 portraits of convicts and detainees from where he was imprisoned. Since then, the artist has mounted several solo exhibitions in and out of the country. His continuous strides earned him a spot in 2014 at the WhiteSpaceBlackBox in Switzerland, consequently mounting his solo exhibition, “Inmates + Outmates".
Despite the lack of formal training, Tecson developed a distinctive style of his own. His thought-inducing artistry ranges from the traditional themes of portraiture to the dynamics of societal contexts, often reaching satirical implications as a means to challenge and uncover the vulnerabilities of society’s preconceived notions.
“Quatervois” will be on view from November 21 – December 4, 2023 at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt, with an Opening Reception on November 21, Tuesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Along with the intricately detailed renditions of flora and fauna blossoms the spiritual notions of life in all its beauty and complexity. Painter Jax Pasimio actively devotes her passion to nature’s unique treasures through expressions of color, pattern and form. In “Femme de Fleur”, the flowers possess a delicate yet dynamic presence; prompting the viewer to look further, to seek its emotive qualities that ruminate in the mind and speak to the soul.
Pasimio composes her illustrations with forms anew as she centers her flora in backdrops of white, further complementing them in recurring figures that emphasize the complexity of her highly detailed abstractions. Her signature pointillist technique bears a visual experience that appears as if the flowers unveil themselves beyond the borders of their white walls – establishing a greater connection that transcends to themes of visual poetry, as the names of each florid composition perfectly embody the resonant characteristics that it spiritually denotes.
At its core, “Femme de Fleur” is an exposition of natural terrains through the empowered lens of the female. As flowers in art have often symbolized various aspects of femininity and nature, Jax Pasimio explores this through her meticulously crafted illustrations, imbuing each floral subject with a sense of vitality and meaning, presenting them not merely as static objects but as living expressions of the feminine spirit.
Visual artist Jax Pasimio is a graduate of Behavioral Science from De La Salle University. Pasimio also finished a short Digital Arts course from the First Academy of Computer Arts. As a visual artist, she states that her source of inspiration comes from the interconnection of human patterns with the outside world. Elaborate motifs, vibrant colors, and intricate detailing are all hallmarks of her visual style.
Pasimio’s works have been constantly showcased in various local group exhibitions since 2015. She is currently a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (ANG INK) and is one of Galerie Joaquin’s represented artists.
“Femme de Fleur” by Jax Pasimio, an inaugural solo exhibition at Galleria Nicolas Alabang, will run from November 10 – 20, 2023 with the Artist Reception on November 15, Wednesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Alabang Town Center is located at the Ground Floor Entrance, Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City. For inquiries, contact +639176436282 or email gallerianicolasatc@gmail.com.
Still life, as an enduring genre in the visual arts, has intrigued both artists and viewers alike for many years. Officially formalized in the 17th Century by the French Academy of Arts, Still Life, during its early years, occupied the lowest rank because it did not depict human subjects. Around the late 1600s, Dutch and Flemish painters began arranging inanimate objects to create allegories using religious symbolism; this, in turn, will mark the increasing popularity of the genre that we have come to know today.
For her latest exhibition, Rafaelle Louise repositions still life as a dynamic and polysemic form of visual interplay where her subjects aim to impart an emotional resonance to their audiences. Tracing the trajectory of still life from its Renaissance origins to its contemporary iterations, Louise poses critical reflections on the nature of representation and the ontology of the everyday. Her seemingly banal and quotidian renditions of various found objects redefine and challenge the traditional boundaries of the genre through the exploration of new media, personal introspections, and adroit conceptual reconfigurations.
Moreover, this paradigm shift in her art style–from a purely abstract form to representational, challenges the long-held prevalent belief that art must imitate life. For Louise, blurring the fine line between abstract and realism interrogates the nature of reality, perception, and human consciousness. It challenges the viewer to abandon preconceived notions of representation to encourage a more profound understanding of the relationship between form and meaning.
Rafaelle Louise (b.1990) studied Visual Communication at the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Rafaelle describes her oeuvre as “modern interplay between action painting and minimalism, where the end product stands somewhere between painting and sculpture”.
“Still Life” by Rafaelle Louise will be on view from November 7 - 18, 2023 with an Artist Reception on November 17, Friday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
There is a feeling that emanates from within when you look at a Katrina Cuenca artwork. Every work she creates bears a lightness – a lightness that prompts the viewer to not just see but feel. Whether painted on canvas or sculpted with copper, Katrina Cuenca possesses an artistic vision that translates spiritual sentiments into tangible masterpieces. In her latest exhibit “Celestia”, a Latin name meaning “heavenly”, Cuenca reveals sublime iterations of her abstractions rendered in lustrous sculptures.
As you enter the exhibit, the luminous pieces transform the space into a divine sanctuary. With a flowing iridescence that mesmerizes the viewer, the collection evokes themes of grace, divinity, and elegance.
Cuenca stages a serene viewing experience as her sculptures are crafted in their purest form, free from foundation or support. It’s as if the sculptures appear to be floating, frozen in a perfect moment where one can examine their celestial beauty. Yet once seen up close, the sculptures reveal a pearlescent glow, a gleaming luminescence that is reflected from the light. Further, the play of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to each piece, creating a mesmerizing interplay between form and illumination.
In essence, “Celestia” is a testament to Katrina Cuenca’s devotion to the arts; continuously experimenting with new elements to add to her impressive craftsmanship. She transforms her personal experiences into beautiful mementos, sharing sentimental parts of herself through transcendent abstractions in hopes of inspiring others to explore the depths of their own creativity and emotions.
Katrina Cuenca (b. 1984) is a self-taught artist who has been painting since the 90s. Experimenting with figures, patterns, and textures, Cuenca continuously rediscovers and evolves her art practice based on life experiences. The result is a melding of figuration and abstraction at its most spontaneous and celebratory.
To date, Katrina Cuenca has steadily built a name for herself in the visual arts field. She has had multiple well-received solo exhibitions and has participated in notable art fairs in the country such as ManilART (2020-2021), MoCAF (2022-2023), and Art Fair Philippines (2023).
“Celestia” by Katrina Cuenca will be on view from October 19 – 30, 2023 at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt with an Artist Reception on October 27, Friday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
“Brazed Innocence” taps into the youthful mind of renowned artist Nixxio Castrillo. A striking contrast from his previous abstract sculptures, Nixxio’s youthful passion results in a playful, amusing, and fantastical series of sculptures inspired by his tender childhood.
In this exhibit, mixed-metal sculptures that portray charming caricatures of animals capture the audience’s attention, signaling a resonance from our own childhood memories. Designed to be visually endearing, these animals are mementos that introduce a child’s wonder to the complex yet essential elements of life such as kinship, emotion, intellect, and creativity to name a few.
Much like how Nixxio’s sculpted caricatures intend to attract a child’s mind, they also hold a special place for the adults who resonate with his artistic style, expressing nostalgic sentiments to his sculptures as they likely resemble characters from children’s movies, cartoons, story books and the like.
In essence, “Brazed Innocence” is a spirited artist’s novel interpretation of a child’s frame of mind. Considering the stark contrast between the lightheartedness of innocent animals and the heavy-duty use of mixed metals, Nixxio brazenly combines two differing worlds, offering a refreshing perspective of childlike-themed subjects in the artistic field.
Nixxio Luarca Castrillo (b.1970) is a Filipino sculptor with commissioned works found locally and abroad. Castrillo was commissioned to do a St. Joseph bas-relief for Ilocos Norte, a bust portrait of F.B. Harrison for the Province of Baras, a monument for the City of Valenzuela, and the Holy Family in California, U.S.A. He has worked on a monument of the former president, the late Noynoy Aquino, for the City of Manila; and also has ongoing projects for the National Housing Authority.
Nixxio’s artistic style infuses color, with architectural forms and tight compositions, nuances which he learned and understood as a departure from the mainly defined creations of his father, Eduardo Castrillo. Each facet of Nixxio’s own unique oeuvre is explored in the form of odes and tributes to his renowned and highly accomplished father. His background in architecture has impacted his body of work, most apparent in how his artworks interact with the environment, creating canyons and valleys of shadows between lines.
“Brazed Innocence” by Nixxio Castrillo will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from October 4 – 15, 2023 with an Artist Reception on October 6, Friday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
In Latin, "essence" translates roughly to "the what it is". May it be an important element, quality, inherent nature or intrinsic aspect of a person or object, essence in its core form can become something fundamental, deep and meaningful.
As universal symbols of beauty, flowers have been prevalent throughout art history and its depictions in various media may they be ornamental, decorative, or symbolic have remained with us even with the passage of time. From the lotus flower in Ancient Egyptian adorned amulets to the present day renditions of more contemporary artists, we continue to be inspired by flora. Their visual, olfactory and tangible qualities make flowers a subject that allow artists to zero in on fresh ways to highlight their expressiveness, dynamism and playfulness.
There have been studies conducted which have proven that left-handed people have the tendency to be more creative. This is particularly true with Jesusa Marjorie P. Calanasan (b. 1978). Since childhood, she has been exhibiting gifts in ingenuity and imaginativeness, which only consistently developed and became enhanced over time.
Her creativity can also be described as multifaceted. She makes crafts, cultivates Bonsai plants and trees, and draws and paints, of course. Way back in college, her artistic versatility shone when, as a Mass Communications student of Miriam College, she was chosen to co-host an info-tainment TV show. When it comes to utilizing her mind, heart, and hands into producing unique works of art, regardless of the medium used, she truly excels. Throughout the years, she has been constantly included in noteworthy group exhibits. Two successful solo shows have also been credited to her, “Reverence” and “Genesis.” These two exhibits were witnesses to the evolution of her art.
In this exhibit, she explores flora in her own style by breaking down each element down to its core, straightforward and simple. Her joy is evident in the positive feeling emitted by the works as the viewer is pulled in with her choice of colors, the delicate bend of the petals and the symmetry of the leaves. In this, her third solo show, she works, inspired by Divine Providence looking forward to the future with much excitement, what with all the possibilities life, and her art may further bring.
The Essence of Flora by Joy Calanasan runs at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from September 21-October 2, 2023 with an Artist Reception on September 28, Thursday at 5 PM. The gallery is located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
The visual impact of black and white is timeless, silently echoing through the annals of art history. From the chiaroscuro mastery of the Renaissance to the stark minimalism of modern times, artists have wielded this palette akin to the precision of a poet choosing words. Black and white, in its starkness, grants purity to artworks – a distillation of expression that leaves only the essential and unveils the core message with uncompromising clarity.
For “Noir et Blanc” visual artists Alexander Calceta, Winslomer Delos Santos, Patrick Esmao, and Siefred Guilaran present an exquisite oeuvre that celebrates the timeless allure of black and white. This exhibition invites its audience to a journey of visual spectacle stripped of color, where shades of gray take center stage, revealing the depth, complexity, and emotional resonance of two fundamental tones. In the absence of color's immediate impact, these monochromatic artworks offer an intimacy that is unmasked without the dazzle of a vibrant palette, viewers are free to delve into the intricacies of form, texture, and composition. It's a visual symphony conducted by contrasts, a delicate interplay that transcends the need for flamboyance and instead thrives on the tension between its polarity.
“Noir et Blanc” is a tribute to the solemn and the finite, where the limitations of color fade into insignificance before the power of contrast. In stark simplicity, they echo the core tenets of artistic expression: the exploration of light and dark, the narrative potential of subtlety, and the connection between creator and observer. It offers a canvas where the artists’ vision merges with the viewer's interpretation, inviting us all to find beauty and meaning in the harmony within its duality.
“Noir et Blanc” will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from August 18 – 28, 2023 with an Artist Reception on August 18, 2023, Friday at 5:00 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Richard Perez has been challenging the artistic landscape with his unorthodox methods. For “Basking in Serenity”, the artist presents stylized renditions of an inhabited environment, primarily focusing on the execution of the concept with his distinguished artistic practices.
For Perez, the works are a fully-realized representation of his well-known medium – creating an interconnected world with the distinctive use of textured thread. Carefully placing layers of acrylic upon layers of the material to illustrate a silhouette culled from landscape imagery, Perez effectively visualizes unique texture and intensity onto his canvases. Every thread he applies adds greater depth and contrast to the universal concept, ultimately revolutionizing its portrayals in the artistic field. “Landscape is traditional. I want to present this subject from a different perspective … It’s a visual presentation on bringing this subject to another level,” Perez mentions.
In essence, “Basking in Serenity” is Richard Perez’s fluid representation of a wilderness spiritually charged with the power of human intellect and creativity. His use of the combined materials is a testament to the artist’s deep affinity and oneness with nature. Perez symbolizes notions of interconnectedness between nature and its inhabitants; weaving the mysticism of an imagined wilderness, wherein the human spirit is the binding force.
Richard Perez is a visual artist hailing from Bicol. Known for using different mediums such as pastel, watercolor, pen and ink, oil and acrylic, yarns and nails, and other forms of mixed media, his latest artistic venture includes acrylic painting on a thread-textured canvas.
During his career, he was an in-house artist of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan for four years. Perez then returned to Bicol where he paints in his studio in Naga, Camarines Sur and conducted several art tutorials and workshops, especially during the summer seasons. He has done commissioned 3D wall murals in Metro Manila, Bicol, and Agusan del Norte, Mindanao.
Perez has received several awards from both international and national competitions. He was a finalist in the 2012 GSIS National Art Competition and an honorable mention the following year, both for the non-representational category. He was also a finalist in the 2015 AAP (Art Association of the Philippines) National Painting Competition, a finalist in the 2016 Manila Bulletin Sketchfest, and was the 2015 Best in Mixed Media Awardee at "Tune of Art" International Art Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He also became a finalist in the 2019 GSIS National Art Competition (mixed media category).
Perez has participated in more than fifty group shows in the Bicol region and twenty group shows in Metro Manila’s most reputable galleries, with the notable ones including the 2022 Brave New World book project and group exhibition at Art Plus Magazine, and the 2022 Emerald Year group exhibition at Galerie Joaquin.
“Basking in Serenity” by Richard Perez will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from July 20 – 31, 2023 with an Artist Reception on July 25, Wednesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Within the tender folds of everyday existence lies an ethereal beauty that visual artist Perfecto Palero, illuminates with delicate grace. In a world filled with grandiose events and sensational experiences, there exists a profound lyricism in the prosaic aspects of everyday life. It is within these seemingly ordinary actions and routines that we find a remarkable reflection of existence.
In his transcendent vision, Palero unveils the extraordinary within the mundane actions people perform each day. With poetic reverence, the works for this exhibition transports viewers into a realm where the ordinary is rendered luminous, and the trivial reveals profound truths about the human experience. By incorporating scenes of the everyday with his familiar subjects of bejeweled landscapes and mountainous terrains, Palero compellingly captures the complex correlations of life and the way we move around them.
"A Quotidian Reverie" challenges the notion that art is confined to the extraordinary or the grandiose by shining a spotlight on the ordinary, this exhibit celebrates the remarkable in the everyday. It invites viewers to pause, reflect, and discover the beauty, meaning, and interconnectedness that permeate even the simplest actions. And in doing so, it encourages a renewed appreciation for the discerning significance of the mundane–offering a fresh perspective on the rich tapestry of human existence.
Perfecto “Buboy” G. Palero Jr. (b. 1980) is the President of Mustra, a Morong Rizal Artist Group. Last 2012, Best Western Premier F1 Hotel commissioned Palero, along with 3 other artists, to come up with paintings exclusively for the hotel. The commissioned artists delivered approximately a substantial number of paintings which are now on display in the hotel’s 243 rooms.
A semi-finalist at the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE) in 2010, Palero’s first solo exhibit titled “Summer Hues” at the Art Gallery of the Philippine Heart Center was awarded “Best Solo Exhibit” during the gallery’s anniversary in 2014.
“A Quotidian Reverie” by Perfecto Palero Jr. will be on view from July 13 – 23, 2023 at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 966 827 0105, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Garnering his second solo show for this year, Art Lozano is persistent in composing mise en scénes that evoke topics of technological advancement, environmental awareness, and existential individuality.
Art enthusiasts, much like Lozano himself, often adhere to the delight, appreciation, and satisfaction of nostalgia. Tapping into his artistic sensibilities as well as his personal interest, the artist received great recognition for illustrating iconic cars and motorcycles that embark on journeys in a vast horizon of greenery. Yet in this exhibit, Lozano also bears a fresher take on his verdant odysseys from the perspective of modern vehicles. This latest body of work reestablishes Lozano’s take on iconography as he also includes vehicles of the modern era; combining what is considered technological designs of the past with developments of the present, and reinforcing his environmental pursuits in a singular imagery of thought.
The artist’s oeuvre is unbound by time, as he intertwines symbols of nostalgia with figures of modernization. Moreover, “In Pursuit of Epiphany” is empowered by beliefs and philosophies that gravitate towards the mystery of the unknown. The red balloons tied to the vehicles suggest the question: What lies in the epiphany of the undiscovered? Lozano is fervent to venture into this existential thought and translates it into tangible forms of expression, as he also hopes the viewers to further explore their sense of individualities.
Art Lozano is described to be a “quiet environmentalist” who develops his unique talent to convey a message. He believes his works can be an instrument to propel the message to focus on Earth’s pristine beauty. His dream is that his paintings may urge people to act and take full responsibility for preserving Mother Nature. Ultimately, as he bares his soul through these works, Lozano entices his audience to interpret his works with a critical eye and an open mind.
A painter from Ilocos, Arthur “Art” Lozano has, since 2000, been garnering recognition from various award-giving bodies which include the AAP Annual Art Competition, Metro Bank Art and Design Excellence National Competition, GSIS Art Award, and the Philip Morris Art Award. He is currently a member of the renowned Baguio Tam-awan Artist Group.
“In Pursuit of Epiphany” by Art Lozano will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt from July 5 – 14, 2023 with an Opening Reception on July 5, Wednesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
“Man’s desire to fly is as old as mankind.” Our fascination with angels and superheroes are evident throughout history in art and literature. Their use as symbols can be seen in the earliest known art and persist even until present day. Icarus of Greek mythology first comes to mind when one thinks of avian-human hybrids. 9th century Andalusian inventor Abbas Ibn Firnas took inspiration from this and himself experimented with flight. Such is our admiration for birds and their various symbolisms, in particular their being a connection to the Divine.
The ability to fly is in the bird’s wings, its perfect anatomy creating lift, thus allowing the bird to soar. As such, the strength and beauty of avian wings has inspired artist Resty Lopez to explore this desire of rising up to the heavens. Through the 17 pieces in his exhibit “Soulful Flight,” he delves into lovingly highlighting his birds’ colorful plumage in their glorious beauty - both delicate and powerful. He also allows his audience to see his wings as an aspiration to understanding our human frailties and embracing our desire for self-actualization. Lastly, he encourages a contemplation of one’s own personal analysis of his subject as it means for his viewers based on known and accepted symbolisms and interpretations.
An artist initially from Bolinao Pangasinan, Resty’s passion for art started at an early age. His move to Baguio in 2000 to try to continue his tertiary education allowed him to develop his artistic technique through projects and contests. He experimented with different mediums, forms and styles and has honed his craft in both paintings and sculptures. In 2005, he started to receive awards and recognition and has participated in several group exhibits and competitions in both the local and national levels. He joined the Galerie Joaquin Group in 2022 and soars through “Soulful Flight,” his first one man show in Manila.
“Soulful Flight” by Resty Lopez will be on view from June 24-July 3, 2023 with the Artist Reception slated on Tuesday, June 27, at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 9362251226 or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Born out of a desire to explore the intrinsic qualities of art itself, Norberto Carating’s newest exhibition offers a collection of works where aesthetic experience and the beauty of abstraction takes precedence. By focusing on the innate qualities of form, balance, and visual elements, Carating’s extensive oeuvre helps us to expand our understanding of artistic expression by challenging traditional boundaries and norms.
The compositions that adorn Carating’s works possess a delicate balance, akin to the rhythmic cadence of poetic verses. Masterfully juxtaposing his elements, Carating guides the viewer’s gaze throughout his canvas, unfolding unique narratives that whisper secrets in the language of shapes, lines, and color. Through his artistic alchemy, he reminds us that art is not only an imitation of life, but also a portal to transcendence, where the soul finds solace in the embrace of the unseen.
In the end, Norberto Carating's creative genius invites us to embrace the beauty that lies in the simplicity of form. It moves us to cast aside the weight of interpretation and surrender ourselves to the timeless elegance of artistic expression. Just as an orchestra holds a symphony of undiscovered hymns, so too does Carating’s artworks offer us an eternal wellspring of aesthetic contemplation, a boundless realm where the profound power of form reigns supreme.
Norberto “Lito” Carating (b. 1948) is an exponential presence in the world of Philippine non-representational Art, a distinction he enjoys for more than four decades now. He officially started his career as an exhibiting artist with his first solo exhibition of works in 1974. Under the country's foremost abstract expressionist Jose Joya, Norberto Carating obtained his bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines in 1971. A consistent winner in practically all the national art competitions, including the 13 Artist Award in 1990 from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Carating time and again has represented the country in many international art events in China, Cuba, and the United States. He has extensively exhibited his works coast to coast in the USA and Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, as well as in Hong Kong and Singapore. His works can be found in the private homes of the country’s 400.
Considered one of the masters of abstract modernism, Carating's metallic abstractions, in particular, are favorites of Manila’s collectors because of their colors, texture and meditative quality.
“An Orphic Symphony” by Norberto Carating will be on view from June 13 – 22, 2023. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Within the depths of the sea, silence is not merely an absence of sound but a tapestry of layered hush. Each wave, each ripple, and each gentle swell carries a symphony of tranquility, an invitation to listen and attune ourselves to the subtle nuances of existence. The sea, like Bachoco’s artworks, embraces the power of negative space, allowing the interplay between emptiness and presence to create a harmonious equilibrium that resonates with the consciousness.
For “As the Seas Whisper” visual artist Vic Bachoco’s seascapes bear witness to the human desire for connection and the yearning for transcendence. In this exhibition, the artist deftly juxtaposes the vastness of the sea with the solitary figurations of a boat. Caught between the seemingly infinite expanse of the sea and the finite self, the works allow each viewer to reflect on the fleeting nature of our existence, while also igniting a profound sense of awe and wonder at the grandeur of the natural world. The interchange of celestial hues and the bold presence of the crashing waves evoke a sense of cosmic communion, where nature's forces converge to create a symphony of harmony and chaos, where one can almost hear the symphony of whispers carried by the wind, unveiling the hidden narratives of the water's depths.
In the delicate sensibilities of time and memory, Vic Bachoco’s seascape paintings emerge as invitations to explore the liminal spaces between tranquility and tumult, presence and absence. Each brushstroke becomes a conduit for the depths of the human soul, and the canvas becomes a portal to the sublime. Through his evocative compositions, he invites us to dive into the depths of our own emotions, to confront our own reverences, and to emerge with a renewed sense of connection to the vast and ever-changing world.
Vic Bachoco was born in Iloilo in 1952. He studied architectural and mechanical drafting at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades. In 1973, he worked as a trainee artist for a bottling company in Iloilo. He later moved to Manila to work in publishing as visual artist before he landed a Senior Artist position at of Manila’s more prestigious advertising firms. These jobs, though focused mainly on commercial art, finessed Vic’s native gift for color, composition, and draftsmanship.
Bachoco lived in the Middle East for 17 years, where he worked as airbrush artist/studio manager in a large advertising firm in Saudi Arabia. His first group exhibition was in Jeddah, in 1998, with a group of Middle East-based Filipino artists. At present, Bachoco is still making his mark in Manila art circles as a skilled watercolorist.
“As the Seas Whisper” by Vic Bachoco will be on view from June 1 – 10, 2023 at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 966 827 0105, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
For visual artist Patrick Esmao, there is yet to discover beyond geometric narrations of towering silhouettes over mesmerizing horizons. The artist always attempts to go above and beyond in creating illustrations inspired by the rudiments of architectural drafting, supported by his inherent artistic vision.
His latest exhibition introduces an oeuvre with an intention to explore capacities of concept, form and medium, as the artist has always been adamant about expanding his creativity and artistic capability. The result bears a new perspective: lustrous silhouettes of cityscapes enclosed in a frame built from high-grade steel. The sculptural works are a hallmark of Esmao’s surging career, providing the audience with three-dimensional viewpoints and angles that offer a visually-stimulating overview.
Moreover, we are also reintroduced to his trademark cityscape paintings composed of mixed media on canvas. Luminous, metallic threads are structurally placed, intended to bolster and embellish the buildings’ sharp contours. Esmao’s towering perspectives of visual landscapes always soar to capture a sense of urban artistry, tenacity, and identity.
With these in mind, “Valorous Peaks” is an exploration of the visual senses, encouraging the audience to gauge and practice their interpretations of art, architecture, and urban identity.
Patrick Esmao (b.1986) is a visual artist hailing from Baras, Rizal. He took up Education at the University of Rizal System, majoring in Drafting. In 2008, together with three other friends, he organized a group in Morong, Rizal known as the MUSTRA ARTISTS GROUP. Esmao excelled in the area of commercial arts where he developed his knowledge in colors, composition, design principles, and self-expression through visual media.
“Valorous Peaks” by Patrick Esmao will be on view from May 30 – June 9, 2023, with an Opening Reception scheduled on May 30, Tuesday at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
The concept of totems is culled from religious tribes, clans, and family lineages around the world – serving as an emblem that signifies a close relationship with humans, animals and natural objects. This is where the term ‘spirit animal’ is also derived from, pertaining to a spiritual connection between humans and animals. Jerry Morada has always been inspired by these concepts, applying facets of himself and his beliefs in different variations of creative freedom.
His latest exhibit “Reformations” displays a transition from concept to depiction, emotion to expression, and symbols to tangible objects of perception. Morada’s ideas of strength, virtue, and sanctity are reformed into sculptures made of pure marble, vibrantly lustrous in every way, playfully amusing yet remaining meaningful to the viewer. The bull, the artist’s signature ‘spirit animal’, returns with transformed formations and depictions anew, much so with his symbolistic renditions of the rabbit, the mother and child, and the bird.
Keeping these in mind, Jerry Morada’s oeuvre continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing artistic landscape. His emblematic sculptures persist to create a metaphysical relation to us perceivers – creating a dialogue that thrives on our thoughts and sentiments. Given that each of us has our own version of a totem or spirit animal, Morada provides these illustrations as a means to reflect on our own existence and spiritual connection with the world.
Jerry Morada (b.1979) graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and made a name for himself as an emerging contemporary artist. He began his career working as an artist for Probe Productions, Inc., producer of the award-winning "Probe Team". He is among the founders of the Guevarra Group together with Edwin Tres Reyes, Gig de Pio, and Dominic Rubio. Morada took part in Art Expo Malaysia 2009 under Galerie Joaquin’s booth. In 2014, he won the GSIS Prize in Sculpture.
To date, Jerry Morada has always sought to fuse elements of abstraction and figuration in an engrossing configuration of texture, color and composition in his body of work.
“Reformations” by Jerry Morada will be on view from May 14 - 27, 2023. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
The term “Ilaw ng Tahanan” is a Filipino cultural phrase metaphorically describing the mother as the “light of a home.” She guides and gives direction, shows care and love, is the child’s first teacher and ultimately plays a lot of different roles in the home and household. She is the light that illuminates the future of the children, the light that guides her partner in life. Mothers keep the light burning even in times of darkness, challenges and obstacles.
First celebrated in 1907, the modern holiday honoring mothers is recognized all over the world. In time for Mother’s Day, Galleria Nicolas celebrates motherhood in its various forms, honoring all kinds of mothers as the light of our homes and our lives. The figurative and abstract works brought together for this exhibit aim to honor mothers and the unbreakable bond between mothers and their children. Works depicting the depth, complexity and femininity of women and their innate nurturing character also feature prominently in the collection of works. The indescribable feelings and emotions of motherhood and pieces depicting mother Nature’s wonders are also highlighted.
With works from some of the leading modern and contemporary artists including Karina Baluyut, Caress Banson, Jovan Benito, Joy Calanasan, Marisel dela Cruz, Camille dela Rosa, James Gabito, Ella Hipolito, Ronnie Lim, Ada Panopio, Michael Pastorizo, Aljo Pingol, Rogelio Orobia, Jun Rocha, Dominic Rubio, Aner Sebastian and Mario Villanueva the exhibit promises to offer a fitting tribute to the most important women in our lives.
ILAW (Pagpugay kay Inay) will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from May 6-14, 2023. The gallery is located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Joseph Albao’s fantastical creations exist on a plane of adroit imagination and sanguine reality. The artist’s form of storytelling, primarily derived from legends, folklore, and allegories, is met with concepts anew by integrating tales of the extraordinary visualized through familiar facets of living – reflecting Albao’s identity and belief towards educating the newer generation with our hereditary background.
The exhibition highlights themes of ancestral bonds, depicting fundamental members, possibly descendants of our heritage, and placing them on elevated, deep-rooted, and conceptual modes of transport and activity. Taking them on a ride filled with delightful enchantment, Albao's signature style is further enhanced with elements we often see in carnivals, fairs, and markets, creating a dream-like ambiance and giving us viewers a sense of comfort. With these, Albao’s recreations meet and infuse notions of the real and the fabled, sparking a meaningful reflection through forgotten archives of history. The artist’s works hope to revive the stories that his characters are derived from, illustrating the importance of lineage that links us to our ancestors.
Joseph Albao is a Filipino painter born in Malabon, Metro Manila. He studied at Batangas State University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts majoring in Advertising. Albao has won numerous national art competitions and has participated in various art exhibitions locally. He co-founded the Vice Versa Artists Group and is currently a Grupo Sining Batangueño Member.
Albao’s latest works won him accolades including First Place in PIG Sining: A Fine Arts Contest (2018), the Second Honorable Mention for Lakbay Sining Painting Competition (2018), and a Finalist for the 2nd Alveo National Painting Competition (2018), among others. This humble and hardworking painter was forged through various artistic endeavors throughout his life. Armed with an unwavering determination to better himself, Joseph Albao continues to dream not only for his self-worth and identity but also for the pride of the Filipino race.
Albao challenges the viewers to rethink their Filipino heritage and culture at this present age, with the advent of social media, technical development, and massive globalization. It is his advocacy to uphold the love for his country and its people through his brushes and palette exposing the beauty of our land and our race.
“Mysterious Voyage” by Joseph Albao will be on view from May 2 - 11, 2023. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
For “Enchanté”, Lopez brings together a collection of works intended to convey an abstract narrative of a past life. Being surrounded by nature’s elemental forms like leaves, clouds, and waves of the ocean inspired the artist to craft a visual story of nature-like patterns with a new and riveting mixture of colors and textures. The result is an imagery of a sublime and moving body of work, engaging the viewer to feel a sense of solace and comfort.
April Lopez has always had a deep-rooted love for art. Being a self-taught artist, she was never afraid of unintentional brush strokes that might seem accidental. It was through this process that the artist discovered her signature wavy and leaf-like patterns that are remarkably distinct from her art style.
The artist’s oeuvre for this exhibition focuses on her exploration of color and form. She introduces a deeper, more contrasted aesthetic of her signature style bolstered by gradients of red, gold, and white – as if to highlight and complement each element and to interconnect with our imagination.
April Lopez (b.1985) is a visual artist born in Bulacan. Her artistic process is linked to her intimate connection with elemental forces of nature as well as her fervent passion for the arts, always willing to learn and grow in every step of her journey as a visual artist. Mastering her craft since 2014 with oil as her primary medium, her abstract imagery stems from personal anecdotes about life–from being a child surrounded by nature to an artist determined to visualize a glimpse of life through different brush strokes, hues, and silhouettes.
Lopez has kept a steadfast trajectory in the art scene by being an active participant in various group exhibitions since 2020, eventually earning her three solo exhibitions showcased at Galerie Joaquin Shop, Art Plus Collectibles, and Galerie Joaquin Podium to date. She is also one of Galerie Joaquin’s rising artists.
“Enchanté” by April Lopez will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from April 22 - May 3, 2023. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3rd Floor Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 966 827 0105, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
For Edwin Tres Reyes’ latest exhibition, the artist explores historical remarks brought about by his vivid depictions of architectural landscapes in local history. The decorum of buildings serves as both a home and a means of income for its inhabitants at the time, with the ground level occupied as a trading post, and the upper decks as the living residence.
Edwin Tres Reyes’ colloquial facades present themselves in great distinct as if culled from a history book on Old Manila. Further, Tres Reyes intends to focus on the architectural elements – heritage buildings, shops, and houses that were heavily inspired by the Spanish and Chinese. The establishments comprise classical designs of prehistoric Manila, embedding stylized Capiz windows, painted shutters, and sloped roofs in the frame.
The artist’s perspective of the establishments gives us hindsight on how simple yet abundant the Filipino way of life was a the time. In retrospect, Tres Reyes wishes to recall, preserve, and honor the impact of our cultural heritage, visualized through a vibrant and spirited series of architectural paintings.
Edwin Tres Reyes studied Architecture and Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas. He worked as a paste-up artist, illustrator, visualizer, and art director for one of the country’s largest advertising agencies, Ammirati Puris Lintas (now LOWE). After seven years in the advertising agency, he became a full-time artist and mounted his first solo show at Galerie Joaquin in 2003. From his abstract acrylics to his more recent light-hearted landscapes, the innate wit and openness to interpretation of Tres Reyes’ paintings make his works truly interesting conversation pieces.
“In Vivid Retrospect” by Edwin Tres Reyes will be on view from April 14 - 25, 2023 with the Artist Reception slated on Friday, April 21, at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
“Still Yesterdays” is a visually arresting series of works that explores themes of celebration, nostalgia, and cultural restoration. As an outstanding cultivator of the historical Philippine genre, Richard Arimado brings these themes to life and onto the canvas for his latest exhibition at Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt.
Richard Arimado has long been known for his top-view perspective of vibrant communal life. His distinct oeuvre enamors us with indulging imageries of solidarity, visualized through the bustling sceneries of an archival town deeply signified with unity, joy, and productivity. With this in mind, Arimado’s visual presentations hope to betoken ideas of spiritual strength and virtue, found in human connection.
“Still Yesterdays” hopes to continue the notion of capturing the essence of time and history – reminding us that life, in spite of its serious undertakings, is meant to be celebrated with culture, heritage, and affinity.
In retrospect, the exhibition is a picturesque view of a life lived in cultural festivity. In view of this, Arimado’s artistic style fits perfectly well in depicting scenic perceptions of an impactful era in Philippine history.
Richard Arimado (b. 1970), Born and raised in Manila, has always had strong artistic inclinations. He studied Drafting Tech at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and Advertising at the Panday Sining Art Study Center. This early, Arimado has already developed a masterly style and his own artistic signature by painting birds-eye views of pedestrians and their commutes.
“Still Yesterdays” by Richard Arimado will be on view from April 14 - 25, 2023 with the Artist Reception slated on Friday, April 21, at 5 PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at 3F, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
In honor of National Women’s Month, Jun Rocha commemorates the gratified virtue of Filipino history and culture in the pre-technological period, depicted through visual perspectives of the idealized and conceptually developed “Maria Clara”. The selection of works comprises imagery of prime harvest and its noble laborers – a community of Filipinas audaciously engaged in scenes of unity, cooperation, and harmony.
In a possible continued conversation on Philippine socioeconomics, Jun Rocha centers his ideas and beliefs on the innate glory and recognition of Filipina labor; an examination of womanpower brought about by historical Filipinas occupied in duties that, by tradition, Filipino men would commonly be predisposed to. Captivating patriotic acts of harvest and “Bayanihan”, Rocha positions his female subjects as cultivators of movement, progress, and development in producing fruits of prosperity.
Further, the collection of works for “Fēmina” hope to amend, and at the same time, give praise to timeless references on the boundless power and influence of womanhood. By placing his ideations of women in the context of benevolent deeds, Rocha acts as a patron for the ongoing discourse of women in the workforce.
Jun Sergio Rocha (b. 1956) studied BS Chemistry at the Manila Central University. His love for visual arts, however, took him in another direction. In 1989, Rocha took up watercolor painting at the American Academy of Arts and oil painting at the School of Art Institute of Chicago. He became a member of the Palette and Chisel Art Academy and the Plein Art Painters of Chicago. Sometime in 2002, he received an Outstanding Community Artist Award from the City Mayor of Chicago.
After more than two decades abroad, Rocha came back to his native Philippines where he continues to showcase his talent and nationalism for the Philippine arts.
“Fēmina” by Jun Rocha will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from March 21 – 30, 2023. The gallery is located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +632 8625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Humans are social beings. We are inherently biologically-driven to form relationships and function in a commune, gearing towards a certain goal. Evolutionary history has shaped us to be highly adaptable and successful in social groups. Our ability to communicate, empathize, and connect with others has allowed us to build complex societies, a central aspect of our identity as a species.
For her latest exhibition, “Virtues of Affinity” visual artist Jovan Benito brings back her familiar themes of quirky and playful visual assemblage to highlight one of the Filipinos’ most admired traits: Bayanihan. A play of words between bayan (community) and bayani (hero), Bayanihan refers to the people coming together to exhibit selfless acts of kindness and generosity without waiting for anything in return.
Deeply inspired by this concept, Benito’s visual portrayal of festive themes depict convivial scenes of belongingness and kinship, dexterously rendered in bold yet refined compositions. Captured in almost candid situations, the artist’s works for this exhibition stage her introversions on how our sense of belongingness is ingrained in the everyday. In a world where we are often divided by politics, religion, and personal reservations, Benito’s works remind us of our communality and shared humanity, fostering a sense of connection and shared identity.
Benito’s works remind us to perceive the moments that bring us happiness deeply, and to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. Indulging its viewers to survey their own space, Jovan Benito’s renderings of the quotidian pays homage to the homogeneity of the everyday, a shared moment of peeling back the mundanity and banality of life to experience real and visceral beauty.
Visual artist Jovan Benito (b. 1982) paints signature flat renderings of everyday scenes. Using a bright palette, her works display Fiesta panoramas and classical scenes that demonstrate her astounding technique. Dominated by that same idyllic glow that exemplifies an Amorsolo, but adapted to suit a contemporary aesthetic style, Benito shows that she has mastered a classical Philippine art tradition. Taking a cue from her own life growing up on in the rural community of Pakil in Laguna, Benito’s canvases are examples of folk life simplified. Always in abundance in her joyful works of art are happy and idyllic figures that Benito paints in a colorful, attractive, and cheerful way.
“Virtues of Affinity” by Jovan Benito will be on view from March 9 – 18, 2023 with the Artist Reception slated on Friday, March 10. 3F, Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
Fitz Herrera’s canvasses are a witness to the journey that he has embarked on, interpreted through colors, textures and shapes. Utilizing a personal and transformative approach, Herrera has explored different facets of life in and through his art – from the mundane to the spiritual. With exploration of his emotions a continuous point of focus, his journey has allowed him to come full circle. His works allow the viewers of his art to see how the breadth of his experiences have been an ally in his growth as a person and as an artist.
What was once restless energy is now more contained and controlled, allowing his very essence to practically leap off the canvas. The free-flowing sense of play in his art is still present but in a more disciplined manner, still brimming with emotion. His musical inclinations can also be felt throughout the artwork as melodies and harmonies pulsate in the vibrance of its colors and textures. He is not afraid of using bold, exuberant colors to convey inspiring imagery in the dynamism of the works.
Herrera’s works emerge from a place of deep thought but with a positive message aiming to capture his own truths in a simple and straightforward way. His journey is that of a man who has experienced both trials and triumphs, pain and joy. As with any journey, his was full of obstacles and challenges and yet through it all, he remained positive and optimistic. His own personal euphoric journey is one that has transcended the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of life.
Fitz Herrera (b. 1978) is an abstract artist who formally trained at the University of the East - College Fine Arts where he majored in Advertising. Herrera worked at Universal Records as a graphic artist producing event posters, album covers and the likes. His earlier works won him some accolades including the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) award where he landed at third place in 2004. Eventually, Herrera found freedom in abstraction and it is also where he gained critical attention to his illustrious career.
“A Euphoric Journey” by Fitz Herrera will be on view from February 25-March 6, 2023 with the artist reception on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 5PM. Galleria Nicolas Greenbelt is located at Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 936 225 1226 or email at gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com.
There is a certain sense of quiet solitude and inherent lyricism whenever one stands before the enigmatic yet riveting beauty of twilight. The world seemingly pauses and bears witness to what seems like an explosion of hues and colors as it slowly bleeds through the heavens, compelling us to bask in its magnificence and grandeur as it transitions from light to dark and vice versa. Reiterating the notion that there is allure and beauty that comes with the gradual but inevitable change.
Drawing inspiration from the scenic interpolations of light and darkness, visual artist Ann Baldemor Moneda utilizes a diverse palette that captivates the essence and intricacies of twilight and juxtaposes it against abstracted blooms. Interposing the use of warm and cool colors, the artist effectively captures the very breadth of a skyline amidst interchanging times. Her intuitive but precise strokes visualize her emotional and internal states, creating artistic representations of her introspect and personal sentiments. Moneda's conscious choice of a saturated yet meditative hues serves as contra-punto to her previous works characterized by the bold and dynamic use of colors. This intent perfectly epitomizes the opposites manifested through twilight; dusk and dawn, night and day, light and darkness.
To submit to the fleeting is a sublime experience; Ann Moneda's abstracted works converse deeply and silently with whoever stands before them. A welcome or a farewell, the pieces for this show invite its audience to pause and revel in the beauty of nature and the science of our ever-evolving cosmos, to draw strength and resilience to forge on, despite the uncertainties of what is to come.
Painter and sculptor Ann Baldemor Moneda hails from Paete, Laguna. Her works are inspired by atmosphere; as she details her inspiration, she describes how her fascination lies with the moment you look outside the window of an airplane. It was a childhood vision captured through her current works of art. Granddaughter of artist Manuel Baldemor, Ann Baldemor Moneda has participated in a couple of group exhibitions in Paete and was a 2nd placer for a wall painting competition in the same locale.
"Ballad of the Twilight" by Ann Baldemor Moneda will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay from February 21 – March 2, 2023. The gallery is located at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay at +63 7746 2466 or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Michael Pastorizo is a master of abstraction when it comes to florid visualizations. The artist’s deep inclination for the natural world and its riches continuously blossoms into different facets and nuances of high color, technique, and form – seeming to depict the wondrous aspects of nature as well as its seasons. For “Incandescent Blooms”, his latest solo exhibition, Pastorizo depicts visionary concepts of an ideal summer, winter, autumn, and spring. With parallel hues and gradients pertaining to the seasons, Pastorizo creatively innovates the perception of nature and its accord with human existence.
Further, the artist’s recognizable composition, excluding all extraneous details of the external world, focuses on a moment of elegance, harmony, and dignity. The paintings are still moments when the dimension of the outside world falls away. They illustrate Michael Pastorizo’s desire and hope for the possibility of that kind of order in the world, especially during this current grim phase in society.
Ostensibly mimicking the motion of sprawling beams of light, the collection provides a sense of renewed luminescence as it reaches out to the viewers’ perceptions, compelling us further to gaze deeper into the seemingly endless infinite. The works exhibited serve as a commemoration as well as an acclamation to the passing of time, embracing the fleeting and the lasting, as we, and the world, watch in awe of its beauty.
Michael Pastorizo took up Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) in college. His career later on, however, took on a rather different path, fated or not. In 2000, he started to work for an artist as a canvas maker. He later on worked for different artists over the next 15 years. Through his stint with artists over the years, he learned several art techniques and styles. He learned how to use oil and acrylic for paintings, silkscreen printing, making sculptures, molding and casting, among others. He then started to work on abstract paintings and later on honed his unique techniques.
“Incandescent Blooms” by Michael Pastorizo will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay from February 10 - 19, 2023. The gallery is located at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay at +63 7746 2466, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
For his latest exhibition, visual artist Jay Ragma probes the exciting and innovative exploration of the possibilities of abstract expressionism. Through the dynamic use of lines, colors and spaces, the artist poses a personal inquiry that allows us to connect with ourselves in a more meaningful understanding of our own sensibilities.
Transporting us into a planar continuum of lines, hues and geometric figurations, the works for this exhibit––which are largely backdropped against a seemingly infinite space of black and white colors––contain a range of contrasting themes and elements. From the bold and dynamic to the subtle and delicate, the pieces for this exhibition create a complex and visually compelling compositions that elicit a sense of motion while maintaining an overall sense of balance and harmony.
Delineating the expansiveness of one’s psyche and conjuring a seemingly conscious absence of control amidst chaos, Jay Ragma carefully parses the mind and allows its viewers to enter a meditative and contemplative experience amidst the erratic nature of the modern world. Reflective Echoes present pieces that explore themes of introspection and discovery amidst the harrowing chaos around us, as it accedes its audience to look further past the haywire–persuading us to be more present in the moment as we traverse along its limitless and boundless expanse.
Jay Ragma’s introduction to his craft came at an early age. His love of vibrant colors grew to a serious passion that led him to take up Fine Arts at the University of the East-Caloocan.
From then on, Ragma has had several shows in the metro, but he is not one to rest on these achievements. For Ragma, whose style is distinctly abstract, art is a never-ending process of learning—he does research and experiments in order to further develop his style, which he cites has been influenced by Piet Mondrian and Georges Braque.
This commitment earned him a number of recognitions, one of which is at the GSIS Art Competition 2018, where Ragma bagged the first prize in the Non-Representational category. These awards, says the artist, prompts him to be more focused sans being distracted by such accolades.
In its inaugural show that opens in its Greenbelt 5 location, Galleria Nicolas presents Dominic Rubio’s much awaited exhibit “Ilustrados”. The second in a trilogy of one-man exhibits, “Ilustrados” is Rubio’s way of paying homage to the erudite or the enlightened ones that was the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period.
These were the intellectuals coming from either the Indios (Filipino’s born in the islands), the Insulares (Spaniards born in the Philippines) or the Mestizos (those of mixed race or lineage) who were the children of wealthy land owners or the rich inteligensia.
These were the same people that believed in strong libertarian and nationalist ideas that ushered in the reform movement. Rubio avails of a strong artistic technique referred to as “Miniaturismo” where he pays special attention to detail and other accroutements like canes, hats, shoes, kerchiefs and fans while paying attention to the meticulous garment designs and embroidery. His keen observatory skills presents the customs, traditions and manner of living of our forefathers, the “Ilustrados” .
Interestingly, as the illustrious art historian the late Dr. Rueben Ramos Canete noted, Rubio’s strength is in his capability of making his collectors and his public “see themselves” through his works. Although he paints nostalgic scenes depicting our colonial past, Rubio is actually painting the Filipino of today. “Viewers retrieve from his painting a dialectic sense of individual and collective identification that only help to emphasize the significance of the established present”.
In a word, Rubio is painting the past as the present.
“Ilustrados” shows a couple holding hands on a balcony, or having a cup of coffee or an early dinner. A major work features many of them promenading in a leisurely stroll at a bridge atop the Pasig River. There are artworks of a mother with her son, a father with his son, while another painting depicts a family walking home from church service while others show a single figure dressed in their Sunday best. The exhibit will also feature several Rubio sculptures of “Ilustrados” going about their daily fare.
“Ilustrados” opens on Saturday January 7, 2023 at 5PM. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3rd level of Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Exhibit runs from January 7-16, 2023. For Inquiries call: +63 936 225 1226 or +632 7 0071137, or email gallerianicolasgreenbelt@gmail.com
Visual artist Ombok Villamor embarks on a new artistic journey as he presents his latest works in “Dance to the Summit”. Known for his bright and bold illustrations of flowing energy, Ombok continues to showcase excellence as he presents a new series to compliment his already astonishing body of work.
The works for “Dance to the Summit” present abstracted imagery of ebbs and flows; striking brush strokes bolstered by hues and ornaments of varying color – visual elements that Ombok has carefully mastered through the years. The artist has always been inclined toward the natural course of life. This is further manifested in his new series by vitalizing its components with excellent illustrations of movement and gesture, such as in dancing or tai chi.
The graceful act of movement is indeed enlivened in Ombok’s artistic technique. His free-formed, however careful strokes on canvas are splendidly orchestrated, with every form perfectly designed to resemble figures in motion, capturing their poise and elegance – further lifted by rich color and texture. With Ombok’s new art style, he solidifies his status as one of the most sought-after artists of today.
Rustom Cleofe “Ombok” Villamor’s oeuvre is characterized by fascinating abstractions of life forms. The resulting paintings are organic narratives that bring out the rich dynamism and energy of life. This is in keeping with the artist’s own explorations of nature – particularly his experience living on the shores of his native Samar. The paintings are most reminiscent of sea life – a direct link to the artist’s roots – but they also celebrate the delights of other life forms.
Villamor has gained recognition from a variety of award-giving bodies, including being a finalist in the Non-Representational Category at the 2015 GSIS Art Competition, and a semi-finalist in the Oil Category of the 2002 Art Petron National Student Art Competition. Ombok has had numerous sold-out solo shows and has successfully exhibited at ManilArt.
“Dance to the Summit” by Ombok Villamor will be on view from October 23 to November 6, 2022, with the Artist Reception slated for October 26, Wednesday at 5 pm. Galerie Joaquin BGC is located on the Upper Ground Floor, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 5th Ave. Corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For inquiries, contact +63 915 739 1549 or email galeriejoaquinbgc@gmail.com.
Boudoir, by definition, is a private room exclusively for women of the upper class in the 18th century – elegantly decorated for the use of sleeping, dressing, relaxing, and entertaining. As the years pass, it has evolved into somewhat of a cultural term, further linking its meaning to the beauty and essence of womanhood. Nowadays, boudoir can be considered as an art form – accentuating the intimacy and rawness of a woman’s physique.
For centuries, the art of boudoir has served its purpose as an emancipation for women; it is of liberal choice to use their bodies as a tableau for body positivity, confidence, and female energy. Xander Calceta delivers these notions for his latest exhibition titled “Of Dreams and Fantasies (Scenes from a Boudoir)”, highlighting the mesmerizing power and physicality of his subjects. Accompanied by his subjects are recurring objects and beings of natural life such as birds and butterflies. The artist intends to coincide the ideas of femininity and nature – coexisting the two concepts as well as to contrast and depict boundless representations of what it’s like to be a woman.
Calceta’s usage of butterflies depict a form of reflection for the subjects; the concept of metamorphosis is closely meaningful to the constant transformation and development to the core of a female. The divinity of a woman is an evergoing course of tenderness, bloom, and change, much like the sanctified concept of butterflies in modern and contemporary art. On the other hand, the birds in Calceta’s works suggest ideas of hope, freedom, and beauty of the subjects; a visual parallel for its viewers to ponder and appreciate the enthralling imagery.
Xander Calceta’s approach to his chosen medium of oil and acrylic paint is a blend of contemporary impressionism and traditional naturalism. Recently, Calceta explores other techniques and approaches like those of modernism by experimenting and combining classic art into modern to create a fusion. His art signature is X N D R, dropping the vowel letters of his name. The artist retains this signature for modern and fusion arts. However, in the classical approach of his works, he changes his art signature into a complete letter name of Xander.
Xander Calceta is a self-taught artist continuously exploring his practice since 2010, where he held his first solo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. He was also an honorable mention at the 2012 GSIS Arts Competition; this further gained him multiple exhibitions where he showcased his art both locally and internationally. Calceta also teaches painting in private tutorials and workshops.
“Of Dreams and Fantasies (Scenes from a Boudoir)” by Xander Calceta will be on view from September 20 to October 2, 2022. Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay is located at 2F Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Paranaque. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Barbara Angeles’ “Amidst Linear Terrains” delves deep into the natural world by amplifying the shapes found in nature through line, contours, and silhouettes. Her abstracted landscapes are considered interpretations of the physical and metaphysical, envisioning earthly dimensions and properties as multidimensional pictographs of an imagined environment.
With Angeles’ amplified awareness of forms and figures, powerful compositions are illustrated-- underlying with creative energy and intrinsic vibration. The works are meant to be intimately experienced as Angeles intended them to be, suggesting close proximation in order to appreciate and ponder on the details that result to its entirety. The compositions are mysterious yet atmospheric, controlled yet liberating, jagged yet consistent -- a reflection of the artist’s sentiments and introspections on art and life.
Barbara Angeles’ linear landscapes, through her use of parallels and space, is a representation of accessibility and openness. The viewer is invited to sink in, pass through the lines, and willingly drift into acquiescence. [by Grace Ng]
Barbara Ruth Chanco Angeles (b. 1969) is a self-taught visual artist from the Philippines. After years of becoming an art consultant, Angeles decided to create and share her own artworks to an audience. The medium she initially used was pastel, creating lines using vibrant and metallic colors applied by a very fine paint brush.
“Amidst Linear Terrains” by Barbara Angeles will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta from July 22 to 31, 2022, with the Artist Reception scheduled on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta, 5PM. The gallery is located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Aldrino Abes’ works for “Portraits of Us” are characterized by the artist’s experimentation with portraiture, and the human figure.
As a tireless people watcher, Abes is fascinated by both the amazing diversity and fundamental sameness of humans. Portrait painting became the art form by which the artist describes and celebrates the uniqueness of an individual. For Abes, to capture someone with all their complexities has to be one of the most challenging and rewarding undertakings in art. The goal is to collect images and references from these traditions and connect them with the emotions from the present-day, and common experiences.
Abes believes there is such a thing as an imagination shared by the different contemplative traditions. As a visual artist, his attention is drawn to the diverse gamut of emotions a person is capable of evoking with just a glance or with their eyes. From warm and intimate to distant and reserved, the range and degree of human feeling that can be communicated in a single frame inspires Joseph Abes.
“Portraits of Us” intents on posing questions about the timeless themes of truth, reality, and being.
Aldrino Abes (b.1974) came to Manila in 1995 at age 20. He first worked as a sign maker and later apprenticed to painter Carlo Magno, who exposed him to realistic interiors and facades of old houses before his mentor went into abstraction. Abes eventually abandoned this subject and found alternative expression in the rough simplicity of strokes and figures referencing highland ethnic Filipino communities.
“Portraits of Us” by Aldrino Abes will be on view at Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay from February 4 to 15, 2022. The gallery is located at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Milmar Onal’s works for “Border/Line” are based on liminal space, both in the aesthetics of the pieces and the interdisciplinary approach taken in their creation. Working between the practices of art and geometry, Onal creates imagery both vivid and distant, between existence and imagined.
Based on introspective notions of history and the shadows of the past, Onal’s concept of “between worlds” is reflected in his signature marks on the canvas – with the elements overriding one another and transitioning from one space to the next, mimicking the current disparity in workforce, media, politics, and wealth distribution, and its continuous progression in the digital age.
The exhibit explores the borderline between opposing views, illustrated through the artist’s use of splitting elements. It seeks to engage the audience by presenting tensions between order and chaos, resistance and rage; and the conclusion when all is said and done: between tolerance and acceptance.
Even though historical, social, and educational backgrounds differ with each individual, Milmar Onal’s concept for “Border/Line hopes to break barriers and challenge long-held beliefs through art, aiming to spark meaningful dialog amongst artists and a willing audience.
Visual artist Milmar Ignacio B. Onal received his degree in Fine Arts Major in Painting from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Aside from participating in multiple exhibits, he also worked for TV and theater productions. Onal also took a course at the ITC (Institute of Technological Courses) under UST’s Department of Engineering that led him to develop a practice inspired from electrical flow and circuitry. Milmar Onal’s minimalist art pieces, such as his abstract landscapes, communicate a sense of simplicity in visually describing places and figures. His body of work tells a tale with no beginning and no end, a manifestation of the human mind’s limitless potential.
“Border/Line” by Milmar Onal will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from May 20 - 31, 2022. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 966 8270105, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 7746 2466, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Caress Banson’s scope of work for “Nature Wears the Color of the Spirit” is an awareness of the emotions which nature bestows. Banson intends the viewers to be part of the scene merging into the picture and experiencing, even for just a moment, its quietude, tranquility and relationship with nature. The artist narrates: “We kept ourselves locked down in our homes and I took advantage of the time to paint greens and foliage and the beauty of creation which we could not enjoy.”
During the nationwide imposed lockdown, Banson’s consciousness became attuned to the rhythms of the seasons and the energy of nature, both visible and invisible, and the connection between the tangible aspects and the spiritual realm she experienced being in quarantine. The impact of these influences is the basis for her recent works.
“Nature Wears the Color of the Spirit” addresses the concepts of time, meditation, and slowing down. The exhibit also explores coexistence with nature from behind isolation-enforced boundaries. Layered onto the natural world is the miraculous fingerprint of human achievement and its own cycles of creation and destruction, forgiveness and rebirth. Caress Banson, through her art, portrays her faith in the intricate dance of humanity and nature --fallible, beautiful, excruciating and inspiring.
Artist-activist Caress Banson uses her abstraction practice to benefit a hunger relief charity. Her dedication to socio-civic issues have earned her widespread admiration throughout all sectors of society. Fearless and impulsive as her art, Caress Banson is a force of nature to reckon with. Color is her language and is the inspiration for her lively and vibrant works. She deems service and bringing joy as an essential role in her life, which is why her art is dedicated to advocacies close to her heart.
“Nature Wears the Color of the Spirit” by Caress Banson, will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from October 11 to 20, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Day or night, the sky has always held a special fascination for people since the dawn of time. For Nelson Castillo’s “The Skies at Twilight”, the artist depicts the sky differently than one has ever appreciated it before. The works for the exhibition can be described as constructed abstractions centered on atmospheric color and light. These environmental studies vary by season, place, time of day and year. Castillo’s ethereal skyscapes capture the artist’s deep knowledge of the color spectrum, how light is captured and measured, and the physics of reflected light on different surfaces.
The paintings of Nelson Castillo for “The Skies at Twilight” are symphonies of light and color -- lyrically stunning and romantic. Castillo achieves this delicate balance through his complete mastery of technique, and through years of perfecting his own unique style. With the lightness of a true master's hand, he combines classic academic and experimental color combination, fusing these, literally letting them run into each other with dripping rivulets of riveting colors and light.
Nature themes dominate Nelson Castillo’s paintings as he searches to share calm, peace, and beauty as well as organic color palettes, shapes and patterns which can be translated through his artistic style. The ethereal nature of the mist, fog or clouds he frequently incorporates into his paintings is meant to draw the viewer into the detailed areas of the artwork in order to depict what lies behind the sky’s kaleidoscopic veil.
“The Skies at Twilight” by Nelson Castillo will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from October 11 to 20, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
Joseph Albao’s works for “Legends and Lexicons” focuses on the Filipino folk narrative. Referring often to the fables of our culture, he weaves into the stories a more personal analysis in an allegorical and metaphorical style, while integrating his own aesthetic form and image toward a common theme. Albao has worked mostly with themes from legends and folktales, primarily for their familiar and often sentimental connections. The artist integrates into these cautionary tales a sense of his own history and personal experience in an effort to confer a more contemporary and intimate relevance.
Albao’s art practice creates a deeply personal language within the structure of the narrative through the parallel and stylized elements he imagines. The works are a metaphorical reflection of himself and the world as he translates it as told through a visual riddle.
The function of art, which most interests Albao, is its ability to hold up the mirror and be applicable to the era from which it originated. This inspires a sense of accordance to the audience of its generation, as well as a criterion for future generations. Joseph Albao wishes to honor the original purpose of the story-telling tradition as a cautionary tool meant to teach, enlighten, and inspire.
Joseph Albao is a Filipino painter born in Malabon, Metro Manila. He studied at Batangas State University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts majoring in Advertising. Albao has won numerous national art competitions and has participated in various art exhibitions locally. He co-founded the Vice Versa Artists Group and is currently a Grupo Sining Batangueño Member.
Albao’s latest works won him accolades including the First Place for PIG Sining: A Fine Arts Contest (2018), the Second Honorable Mention for Lakbay Sining Painting Competition (2018), and as Finalist for the 2nd Alveo National Painting Competition (2018), among others. This humble and hardworking painter was forged through various artistic endeavors throughout his life. Armed with an unwavering determination to better himself, Joseph Albao continues to dream not only for his self-worth and identity but also for the pride of the Filipino race.
“Legends and Lexicons”, featuring works by Joseph Albao, will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from October 29 to November 8, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
The ocean reflects the rhythm of the body, the beating of the heart, breathing in and out.
Waves like pendulum mark the present, Each affirming, now-- In the ocean, we are drenched in the present.
Yet in the venerable body of the sea, We feel the essence of time; In the pounding surge, We feel the dense place of our abandoned beginnings.
There is no symbol of the absurd, Nothing points to the gestures of the subconscious, More than what lies beneath the surface.
No threat feels more sinister; Yet the sea is where we cleanse our wounds, Where we get lost in all that is decadently infinite.
Nothing is more lyrical, More vital, More tenderly complete-- Than the endless sea. [Words by Grace Ng]
Rowin Obrero is a self-taught, full-time artist based in Zamboanga del Sur, Pagadian City who obtained a BS Education Degree from the Southern Mindanao Colleges. Obrero is currently the national consultant for the Philippine chapters of Hawaii-founded group Garden of Arts, with chapters in Isabela, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Dumaguete City, Iligan City and different parts of Zamboanga Del Sur, holding workshops on sketching and painting for aspiring young artists.
“Symphony of the Seas”, featuring works by Rowin Obrero, will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from October 11 to 20, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
“Honoré” represents an introspective reflection on Juvenal Sansó’s artistic journey, as each participating artist hope to portray the master Sansó as they knew him: monumental in his importance in the art world, philosophical, and bearing witness to the unwinding of time by his careful and detailed observation of seascapes, landscapes, and flowers. The works focus on techniques and palettes that Sansó used in his oeuvre, with each artist’s unique take of the master’s approach.
The artists express in their paintings the vitality of life, the interplay of light and shadow, the dimensions of structures, the depths of color and tone; as inspired by Sansó’s passion, curiosity and excitement towards art.
“Honoré” is an exhibition that primarily centers around the idea of a life and time of an older and more renowned artist as imagined by another. The artists aim to depict Sansó’s legacy and importance in the current context; simultaneously, the exhibition is meant to reflect on how an artist is influenced or shaped in his own time, and how ideas, thoughts, and inspiration flow continually from predecessors to the younger generation.
The undercurrent of the exhibit is an appeal to the common humanity and shared universal values especially among artists. It is a commemoration to a master, a celebration of life, an ode to the journey of an artist like no other, a declaration of thanks if you will, and a continuing appreciation of an immeasurable craft. The artworks bring an engaging and unique exploration into the multifaceted talent that is Juvenal Sansó.
Galleria Nicolas showcases “Honoré” from June 29 to July 8, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com or +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Richard Perez’ work is in a constant state of evolution. His works for “One with Nature” depict moments in time, instances in which a non-traditional media undergo a process of change. For Perez, these juxtapositions are a metaphor for the nature of identity, which can be made up of multiple, conflicting impulses and behaviors and is deeply rooted in personal relationships with the outside world.
The artist’s method of making consists of wrapping thread around nails which pinpoint the contours of the image to build up mesh-like forms. He builds up layers to detail the subjects and create depth to the image. The resulting works are both bold but fragile. While the forms in the depicted imagery are strong, they contrast with the delicacy in the materiality of the thread itself.
Richard Perez’ thread paintings depict the places where he finds a sense of belonging and beauty. When visiting these locales, a sense of peace, rest, and renewal encompasses his mind. Like growth in nature itself, Perez’ work takes significant time, energy, and labor to create. His process creates a sense of calm analogous to the quietness and beauty he experiences within these places.
Richard Perez is a visual artist hailing from Bicol. He is known for using different mediums such as pen and ink, pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic and has recently specialized in mixed media using nails and thread as way of presenting subjects that create a unique form of art.
During his career, he was an in-house artist of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan for four (4) years. Perez then returned to Bicol where he paints in his studio in Naga, Camarines Sur and conducted several art tutorial and workshops specially during summer seasons. He has done commissioned 3D wall murals in Metro Manila, Bicol and recently in Agusan del Norte, Mindanao.
Perez has received several awards from both international and national competitions. He was a finalist in the 2012 GSIS National Art Competition and an honorable mention the following year, both for the non-representational category. He was also a finalist in the 2015 AAP (Art Association of the Philippines) National Painting Competition, a finalist in the 2016 Manila Bulletin Sketchfest, and was the 2015 Best in Mixed Media Awardee in "Tune of Art" International Art Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Recently, he became a finalist for the 2019 GSIS National Art Competition mixed media category. Perez has participated in more than fifty (50) group shows in the Bicol region and twenty (20) group shows in Metro Manila.
“One with Nature” by Richard Perez will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from September 5 to 14, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +632 86250273, +63 915 8890788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; +63 917 6436282 or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com
For “Calle Nueva”, Old Manila’s familiar streets and establishments caught James Gabito’s attention for creative composition. As an artist, Gabito has always recognized the beauty, meaning and excitement inherent in everyday people and events. For the artist, art is in a sense a catalyst for thought; it freezes a moment, idea, or feeling, and allows a form of proximity to situations and events-- it allows the viewers to carry the moment with them.
The exhibit is motivated by the idea of a contemporary nostalgia. It is the artist’s expression of longing for harmony and normalcy, born more of an apprehension of an uncertain future than a sentimental desire for a past. From this perspective, nostalgia is to desire a more contained and controllable sense of the surroundings.
For this thematic series, Gabito draws inspiration directly from outdoor scenery, combined with ideas and concepts of memory and nostalgia, which he transforms into visual compositions. Gabito arranges his visual elements in a way that builds an implied narrative about a place. They stand as discrete, momentary records of intersectional places. The artist describes the scenes as “slices of life”, serving as moments and spaces we experience yet disregard in the course of any day, because they seem marginal to our notions of who we are and what we do.
James Gabito, a Baguio-based artist, 2015 GSIS honorable mention and 2015 MADE finalist, paints archetypes of the mountain province culture attesting to the region's unspoiled vibrant way of living. Gabito assembles these images with a sense of artisanal intricacy and rawness to his subjects. Gabito's interpretation stems from his perspective of change in practice, such as that from weaving or planting rice.
"Calle Nueva" by James Gabito will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from June 15 to 27, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com or +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Milmar Onal’s works for “Border/Line” are based on liminal space, both in the aesthetics of the pieces and the interdisciplinary approach taken in their creation. Working between the practices of art and geometry, Onal creates imagery both vivid and distant, between existence and imagined.
Based on introspective notions of history and the shadows of the past, Onal’s concept of “between worlds” is reflected in his signature marks on the canvas – with the elements overriding one another and transitioning from one space to the next, mimicking the current disparity in workforce, media, politics, and wealth distribution, and its continuous progression in the digital age.
The exhibit explores the borderline between opposing views, illustrated through the artist’s use of splitting elements. It seeks to engage the audience by presenting tensions between order and chaos, resistance and rage; and the conclusion when all is said and done: between tolerance and acceptance.
Even though historical, social, and educational backgrounds differ with each individual, Milmar Onal’s concept for “Border/Line hopes to break barriers and challenge long-held beliefs through art, aiming to spark meaningful dialog amongst artists and a willing audience.
Visual artist Milmar Ignacio B. Onal received his degree in Fine Arts Major in Painting from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Aside from participating in multiple exhibits, he also worked for TV and theater productions. Onal also took a course at the ITC (Institute of Technological Courses) under UST’s Department of Engineering that led him to develop a practice inspired from electrical flow and circuitry. Milmar Onal’s minimalist art pieces, such as his abstract landscapes, communicate a sense of simplicity in visually describing places and figures. His body of work tells a tale with no beginning and no end, a manifestation of the human mind’s limitless potential.
“Border/Line” by Milmar Onal will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from May 20 - 31, 2022 with the Artist’s Reception scheduled on Monday, May 30, 5PM at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 915 889 0788, or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or Galleria Nicolas Ayala Malls Manila Bay at +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
The participating artists for “Epic Abstractions” have always been in awe of the vibrant and shifting landscapes of the mind. They are captivated by the influence of what one can’t see – how the unseen energies of people, spaces and places affect how one perceives the world, and how this energy contributes to a complex and changing emotional topography.
The works evolve without a pre-conceived idea of what the end result will be. However, there will be a starting point; an idea, a feeling, a color or shape, could also serve as a point of departure. This process runs a fine line of success and creates an unpredictable tension between the conscious and subconscious that is only resolved at its conclusion.
The exhibition delves on many levels simultaneously: unity in diversity, space and form, light and color, silence and movement, inner and outer awareness. It is built in a kind of joyous improvisational duet with the rhythms of nature, a visual gospel of hymns singing the praise of nature and life.
Works for “Epic Abstractions” evolve as each of the artist work on their craft, building layers over the textured surface and using color to create a sense of depth. The exhibit serves as an invitation for the audience to look beneath the surface of color, texture, and form and to uncover new ways of encountering themselves and discovering a world rich with possibility and promise through abstract art.
Galleria Nicolas showcases the abstract masterpieces with works by Raul Isidro, Norberto Carating, Ombok Villamor, Aner Sebastian, Fitz Herrera, Louie Ignacio, Dr. Ronnie Lim, Nixxio Castrillo, Milmar Onal, Perfeßcto Palero Jr., Michael Pastorizo, Marco Coching, Barbara Angeles, Ann Moneda, Jo Balbarona, Karina Baluyut, Joy Calanasan, Jane Ebarle, Gary Custodio, April Lopez, Jax Pasimio, Ted Peñaflor, Camille Ver, and Janice Young.
“Epic Abstractions” will be on view from April 9-30, 2021 at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Manila Bay. The Galleries are located at 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
By Grace Ng
“Hermosura” highlights the complexity and multivalent nature of the Filipina in the immediate pre-technological period. The artworks aim to demonstrate the intersection, interaction, and reaction to colonial subjugation and collaboration, as well as the desire to develop an artistic language that reflects the Philippine nation.
The purpose of the exhibit is to analyze the versatile nature of the gaze in the paintings of modern Philippine art in relation to the image of the archaic Filipina especially the “Maria Clara” psyche. Rocha’s narrative highlights the formal elements of modern Philippine painting: the stylization of forms, uniformity of figures, and the artist’s personal use of color and surface.
By exploring historical social folk art, traditions, and rituals, Jun Rocha’s artworks endeavor to graduate it beyond its domestic stereotypes, limited narratives, and exclusionary practices. They aim to examine the nature of our customs, their effect, and create a productive conversation surrounding the Filipina identity and the hidden social influences that hold society back.
Jun Sergio Rocha (b. 1956) took up BS Chemistry at the Manila Central University. His love for visual arts, however, took him to another direction. In 1989, Rocha took up watercolor painting at the American Academy of Arts and oil painting at the School of Art Institute of Chicago. He became a member of the Palette and Chisel Art Academy and the Plein Art Painters of Chicago. In 2002, he received an Outstanding Community Artist Award from the City Mayor of Chicago. After more than two decades abroad, Rocha came back to his native Philippines where he continues to showcase his talent for the arts.
"Hermosura" by Jun Rocha will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from February 14 – 22, 2021. The Galleries are located the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com or +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, email info@gallerianicolas.com.
For “True Grit”, Michael Cacnio integrates works by some of the biggest names in Philippine art in his sculptures – including National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, National Artist Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist Arturo Luz, Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso, Mauro "Malang" Santos, Romulo Olazo, Norma Belleza, and Ramon Orlina; pushing through the obstacles, appreciating the fruits of their labor. These artworks are representative of Cacnio’s commitment to art and the Modern Masters he personally respects, solidifying each of these artist’s position in the present era. Conjointly, the collaborative works address conversation, an exploration of Cacnio’s depictions of the tableaux scenes in an emotional and intellectual level.
This collaborative effort is due to a unique understanding of the temperament of important Filipino art. The junction of personalities, proficiencies, styles, and experiences contribute to a diverse body of work that addresses vital and current social narratives.
Grit is perseverance in the face of difficulty, boredom, adversity or sheer lack of will. Michael Cacnio’s “True Grit” playfully illustrates what makes the perseverance worthwhile. It recognizes people for progress, praise people for perseverance, express gratitude for making the attempt. Cacnio strives to create pieces that exemplify willpower, conviction, strength and character; as he motivates others to be the best they can be, even in a midst of chaos and uncertainty, if they believe.
“True Grit” is the behavior one exhibits while trying to achieve success with anything in life, despite difficulty. The exhibition is about life and inspiration; it is about overcoming, becoming, and achieving together. Michael Cacnio’s “True Grit” will be on view at Booth C1 of ManilArt 2020, located at the 3rd Level of SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig from December 9 – 13, 2020. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, and at the 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com; or contact Galleria Nicolas Bay Area +63 917 643 6282 or email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com.
The works for “Rhythm and Waves” take the artist back to being part again of those nostalgic times with the sounds of the waves and the smell of sea air; in its power, and its many faces, from the peace and tranquility of becalmed waters to the utter fear you experience in ferocious waves and hurricane seas.
It is therefore this emotion and calming influence of being drawn back to the sea that Amado Hidalgo successfully depicts in his current solo exhibit. A call of the sea that is missing: a desire to reproduce life’s “comfort blanket”, to be again part of the sea one longs for, respects, and loves.
Hidalgo’s seascape works are influenced by the artist’s own thoughts on the energy, power and processes of natural forces. It explores the idea of finding a calm resolution by morphing an object to exhaustion and destruction. Hidalgo is inspired by the notion of change and the thrill of a balance between permanence and impermanence of shape and form.
Memory is created and stored between the synapses’ just as the truth of the sea lies between the rocks; what Hidalgo paints is the space in between experience and memory. The murkiness of the fog obscures the edges and seams of the rocks to render them calm and present. His color choice is reminiscent of the hues captured by observing the mist and haze from the early morning and chilled summer afternoon, organically performing and representing moments in time.
Amado Hidalgo (b.1945) is a visual artist from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Philippines, with a double major in Painting and Sculpture. He considers himself as a Classical Realist, particularly focusing on seascape works, wherein he dedicates his oeuvre by traveling to seashores and seaside caves. He has painted the coast of Northern and Central Luzon, and the breath-taking subterranean caves of Palawan. Hidalgo is currently a member of the Saturday Group of Artists.
Rhythm and Waves by Amado Hidalgo will be on view from November 24 – December 5. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque. For inquiries, contact +63 917 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com
Vic Bachoco’s latest exhibit titled “Reflections” elicits specificity to one’s personal connection to a landscape. Most people have a landscape place in mind where they go that contains memories, dreams, and daydreams. Once mentally in that place, remembrance occurs. Bachoco documents nature as seen between the rocks, clouds, memories, daydreams, and lifecycles. For the artist, a seascape holds the same principles and notions as the woods: stillness, timelessness, silence, and presence.
He attempts to capture and communicate his personal experiences as it reflects life with its unceasing process of observing, experiencing, interpreting, storing – and ultimately – reflecting. The result Bachoco strives for is a unique and original visual experience that has captured not only the sense of somewhere or sometime, but also the subtler notion of recollection.
Watercolor is the medium that plays a big part in capturing the essence of a faded memory and lends itself nicely to the way Bachoco paints. Colors are applied in a way to give the artwork itself a narrative and history, where the process of its creation can be glimpsed at in places – similar to the way in which the memory deals with the hazy recollection of a place once visited. Vicente Bachoco was born in Iloilo in 1952. He studied architectural and mechanical drafting at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades. In 1973, he worked as a trainee artist for a bottling company in Iloilo. He later moved to Manila to work in publishing as visual artist before he landed a Senior Artist position at of Manila’s more prestigious advertising firms. These jobs, though focused mainly on commercial art, finessed Vic’s native gift for color, composition, and draftsmanship.
Bachoco lived in the Middle East for 17 years, where he worked as airbrush artist/studio manager in a large advertising firm in Saudi Arabia. His first group exhibition was in Jeddah, in 1998, with a group of Middle East-based Filipino artists. At present, Bachoco is still making his mark in Manila art circles as a skilled watercolorist.
Bachoco’s visual language is a kind of truth-telling, matter-of-fact realism: representations without commentary, just facts, as it were. There seems to be no trace of the Middle East in his motifs, but perhaps only the surface. A prolonged absence heightens one’s attachment to things back home: Consider Tuyo (112), a typical Filipino meal of dried fish, fried egg and a piece of ripe tomato served on a strip of banana leaf. Seen from the context if the Filipino diaspora, this image takes on a whole different meaning if seen through the mind of, say, a domestic helper in Scandinavia, Jeddah, or Hong Kong.
“Reflections” by Vic Bachoco will be on view from September 29 to October 8, 2020. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
William Alvarez Jr.’s “Paradiso D'oro” captures the unique personalities of birds in his latest series of oil and gold leaf paintings. Alvarez uses a variety of brushstrokes and textures to portray their whimsical and enigmatic characters.
For centuries, birds have provided endless inspirations for artists, exuding the kind of grace, mystery, and spontaneity that can only be found in the natural world. Alvarez imbues each subject with kinetic life by paying special attention to their unique colors—most importantly—the feathers.
Primarily working in oils, Alvarez has created detailed paintings with metal leaf detail. The artist instills his fauna work with personal symbolic meaning, representative of emotions experienced by the artist. His use of gold metal leaf is associated with notions of divinity, referring back to spiritual enlightenment experienced by audiences of High Renaissance art.
The artist firmly believes that an ecosystem is not just a composition of numerous individual lives and species, but a living entity itself; an interconnected and interdependent web of life.
The fundamental goal of “Paradiso D'oro” is for the viewer to come away with a greater respect and appreciation for these majestic creatures, their toughness behind the beauty, and the imminent threat they experience in the wild.
William Alvarez Jr.’s oeuvre is intended to create narrative compositions out of abstract sonic and visual impressions inspired by his native Morong and its people and environment. He has the ability to impart large and provocative themes with the audience through his abstract works. His aim is for the viewers to see beyond their current perception, creating a multi-layered experience that extends into their impression of reality. His major achievements include winning the grand prize for the Non-Representational Category of the 2017 GSIS National Art Competition and being awarded the LIKAS Morong Gawad Kabataan Award for 2017.
Alvarez currently resides in Morong, Rizal and is an active member of the community-based artist group MUSTRA (Morong Young Artists). He has exhibited, along with other MUSTRA artists, at the Philippine Heart Center Art Gallery. The group has also exhibited and donated artworks for the Museong Pambayan ng Morong.
“Paradiso D'oro” by William Alvarez Jr. will be on view from October 29 to November 8, 2020. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
For “Adagio”, Nap Limaten began looking for novel ways to show the human form, especially in movement, and found that ballerinas made superb subjects. Limaten, through his sculptures, conveyed the full sense of a single moment, combining movement and energy. Through his latest exhibit, the artist seeks the means to prolong, capture, and map the rapture of motion.
His latest subject of ballerinas is not just about sculpting movement and pretty clothes. Limaten managed to associate the dancers with the idea of practice, hard work, and perseverance – similar to his path as an artist.
The works also represent notions of beauty and connectivity. Its reflective surface mirrors its current environment and engages with each viewer. Nap Limaten considers art as a powerful connection that taps into the deepest parts of human existence. He strives to be an artist who helps the audiences in escaping the world around them while tapping into what it really means to be alive.
Nap Limaten (b. 1978) is a self-taught Filipino sculptor currently residing in the western part of the province of Rizal. He started honing his craft in a small town in Benguet but his intuitive form-making prowess and great attention to detail brought him to the urbanity of Rizal province and Metro Manila where he continued to experiment with other materials and techniques. Aside from metal and brass, Limaten is also skilled in sculpting wood, plaster of paris and wax.
“Adagio” by Nap Limaten will be on view from June 27 to July 7, 2020 at Galleria Nicolas, located at 3F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For more information, please contact For inquiries, contact +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Camille Ver’s work as an artist is intrinsically connected with her life and personal growth. The inspiration for her art comes from all areas of life: emotion, philosophies, interests and self- exploration.
Ver, for her latest works, exhibits a very strong interest in the relationship of colors and the satisfaction it gives to her. The artist narrates that Expressionists and Impressionists have had a great influence on her works for “The Clearest Hue”. The excitement of combining colors stimulated a part of the artist that became quite distinct to her oeuvre. It became a turning point to Ver’s artistic career that brought out the courage and boldness in her works.
She creates abstract symbols that represent to her a particular philosophy or feeling associated with the basic truths. For this new series, each of the artist’s abstract works portrays particular concepts, such as rapture, conception, and the emotions linked to these. These visible forms further represent the singularity of life -- that all things lie within the individual; thus, all works have an inner glow of vibrant color representing the life force.
Ver puts together elements to create a dialogue, maybe even a statement, to push a current conversation forward – creating worth. Her art forges a wondrous manifestation, from her assemblage of compositions and color combination, to a profound likening of the human desire to create and express.
Camille Ver is one of the Philippines’ flag-bearers in contemporary abstractionism, building cityscapes into works that take its audience into a metropolis of colors and playful lines. Ver took up painting at the University of the Philippines’ College of Fine Arts in 1998. She then took a special course in Interior Design at the Philippine Institute of Interior Design. With more than ten solo shows and twice as much group shows in her repertoire, Camille Ver continues to reshape the image of Philippine art, using the bricks and grids of her abstract burgs.
“The Clearest Hue” will be on view at both Glorietta and Manila Bay Galleries from March 14 – 25, 2020. Galleria Nicolas Glorietta is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay is located at the 2nd Floor Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Asean Avenue Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Paranaque City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas Glorietta at +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942 or Galleria Nicolas Manila Bay at +63917 643 6282, +632 7 7462466, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
By Grace Ng
Perfecto Palero Jr. has always been completely fascinated by the natural world -- the subtle color changes of a flower, the story that a rock, a tree that is home to various living creatures can tell the earth’s interesting history. Nature cannot be improved upon, but Palero captures a sense of its astonishing beauty and grandeur through his ethereal paintings.
Consciously, the artworks are somewhat inspired by traditional Chinese paintings, specifically the majestic Lu Mountains. Chinese artistic expression has always been deeply imprinted with Palero’s oeuvre. The layers of paint evolve into a unique and one-of-a-kind creation; and jewel tones of color emerges, a fitting representation of the richness of life. The flow of colors is depicted to resemble stone, water or metal, ceramic, or gems. Viewing Palero’s bejeweled take on landscape paintings, it is clear that the artist’s depictions of nature are seldom mere representations of the external world. Rather, they are expressions of the mind and heart of the artist through interpreted visual imagery.
The starkness of the landscape, the relationship of air and water, and recurring images of standing trees and birds, all carry symbolism on a number of levels, both personal and universal.
The exhibit seeks moments of breath-taking transition in nature; when the elements of the landscape combine with the alchemy of imagination. Palero’s paintings aim to capture these fleeting moments in time and reveal the serene center that can arise in the midst of nature’s turbulence in the modern times.
The ability to reproduce a glimpse of what Mother Nature displays for us, is truly a gift Palero wishes to share. His desire is for the viewers to feel the wonder and beauty, the magic and awe in his creations as it is his interpretation of the beauty of the world and the environment that he shares wholeheartedly.
Perfecto “Buboy” G. Palero Jr. (b. 1980) is the President of Mustra, a Morong Rizal Artist Group. Last 2012, Best Western Premier F1 Hotel commissioned Palero, along with 3 other artists, to come up with paintings exclusively for the hotel. The commissioned artists delivered approximately a substantial number of paintings which are now on display in the hotel’s 243 rooms. A semi-finalist at the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE) in 2010, Palero’s first solo exhibit titled “Summer Hues” at the Art Gallery of the Philippine Heart Center was awarded “Best Solo Exhibit” during the gallery’s anniversary in 2014.
“Bejeweled Landscapes” will be on view from June 17 to 26, 2019 with the Artist Reception scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at 6PM. The gallery is located on the 2nd Floor of Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City. For inquiries, contact Galerie Joaquin at (+63)2 247 1109 or email galeriejoaquin@gmail.com.
Galleria Nicolas brings together three (3) modern masters in “Collective Elan: The Modern Era of Art.” Works by glass sculptor Marge Organo, abstractionist Ombok Villamor, and master of neo-genre painting Dominic Rubio, will be showcased at ManilArt 2018.
Cited as one of “The 8 Notable Artists” of the year last ManilArt 2017, Marge Organo is not one to rest on her accomplishments. With her angular abstract glass forms, Organo manages to incorporate different figurations that play with the diffused light. In this manner, light bends through each refraction and reflection in ways that almost seem impossible. How she manages to achieve this effect in her practice speaks to a measured method and a highly intellectual approach to art.
Ombok Villamor has gained recognition from a variety of award-giving bodies, including being a finalist in the Non-Representational Category at the 2015 GSIS Art Competition, and a semi-finalist in the Oil Category of the 2002 Art Petron National Student Art Competition. Villamor’s works are characterized by fascinating abstractions of life-forms. The resulting paintings are organic narratives that bring out the rich dynamism and energy of life.
The powerhouse works of Dominic Rubio have done well in auctions such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Borobudur, Larasati, and Masterpiece. A founding member of the Guevarra and Blumentritt Group of artists, Rubio has become a favorite among major collectors in Asia, the U.S. and Canada. He has held major exhibitions where his signature figures in turn of the century garb with elongated necks have been a big hit with audiences.
The exhibition as a whole addresses a collective theme of flair, and the works in the show approach the theme from a broad range of perspectives. Each artist attempts to transform recaptured emotions and individual memories into beauty.
Vitruvius aims is to explore the borders between different layers of consecutive but separate production processes of each of the individual artist. All of the works deal with man and machine and in consequence, a seismic shift in human evolution. Placing bodies on machines and allowing the imagination of a freedom of authority -- dismantled from an accompanying system of reform, mirroring the basic experience of ourselves in a postmodern society, which at the same time deliberating and liberating.
The relationship between humans and machines can be quite intimate in the sense of the time spent using them and the purposes for which they are used. For Vitruvius, some pieces depict human figures seemingly fixing their mechanical devices (a mechanical kettle, a machine-like dog) and transportation (a hot air balloon) for them to be utilized extensively. While machines are engineered to operate efficiently and to sustain tolerances, they are also vulnerable just as the human body is.
This exhibit by Dominic Rubio and Ram Mallari focusing on human reliance with technology is a necessary respite, showing innovation and igniting inquiries in unexpected and unconventional ways. The practice of each artist is a catalyst for a positive revolution in which all human beings are revered for their intellect in invention, design, and creation.
Dominic Rubio is known for his distinct aesthetic identity -- The archaic - Filipiniana characters, and how they come in focus as observed purely on everyday life. His search for cultural identity and its meaning, position, and relevance in the modern world is also a kind of extended exploration for a place of an individual with its heritage being challenged by the continuous evolution of its cultural identity.
Mario “Ram” Mallari Jr. is considered one of the country's most exciting and fast-rising sculptors. He earned a reputation as a great innovator in the field of "reclaimed sculpture", coming to prominence in 2011 with his retro-futuristic works with intricate metalwork techniques. His resulting metal sculptures range from watchtowers, chess pieces, clocks, steam and motor vehicles, zeppelins, ships, to reimagined animals and pop icons.
“Vitruvius” will be on view at Booth B2 of ManilArt 2019, located at the 3rd Level of SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig from October 9 – 13, 2019. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 (2) 8 625 0273 or +63 (917) 534-3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Rain Libiran’s works for “Timeless Tableaux” show how the everyday is layered with histories, meanings, and potential. In elaborately staged compositions bursting with competing patterns and elements, Libiran creates thought-provoking tableaux featuring characters in traditional Filipino regalia. Enlisting customary characters into his oeuvre, he encourages even more combinations and poses as means for them to perform a contemporary concept. The results are familiar yet imaginative, bound up as they are with the struggles of colonial mentality and self-identity. He has extended the complex but fragile history of the Philippines in relation to cultural identity both progressive and traditional, locally and globally.
As for Libiran’s chosen medium, the whole process of working with ink intrigued him; watching how the ink changes as it dries, and producing drawings with layers of pen marks and strokes. Most especially, the artist prefers to look at that borderline between the whole work and its elemental marks-- to be far enough away to see the semblance of the whole image, but close enough to see how the illusion is shaped.
In a way, Rain Libiran’s works take a critical view of social, political and cultural issues. For “Timeless Tableaux”, he deconstructs the Filipino psyche – the values, morality, belief systems, and culture in general. Libiran’s work reproduces familiar visual signs, arranging them into new and conceptually layered commentaries.
Raymond “Rain” Libiran (b.1973), is a visual artist hailing from Santa Maria, Bulacan. Rain’s love for art began through the drawings of his brother and his favorite pastime, reading “Funny Komiks” (a popular children's comic book), which was regularly brought home by his father and became the initial ground for his drawing lessons. Copying pictures of Filipino heroes growing up, Rain soon realized he will also traverse the artistic path that his idols Salvador Dali, Michelangelo, Juan Luna, Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish have taken.
“Timeless Tableaux” by Rain Libiran will be on view from November 11 – 20, 2019 with the Artist Reception scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 at 6PM. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63 (2) 8 625 0273 or +63 (917) 534 3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Milmar Onal’s minimalist figures draw calmness highlighting a straightforward intention, his lines meandering up and down, depicting a lifeline of an undiluted flow of energy -- electrifying and unpredictable. The figures remind one of a schematic diagram; specific details, omitted thereby encouraging discourse and making it open to the viewer’s own visual interpretation.
His angles form a continuous landscape, boundless and infinite, with the artist implying the limitlessness of the human mind. The metallic pieces are mnemonics of the electric energy, movement and sound of the city often displayed in bold bright colors. The works attempt to freeze frame a scene in time, or a moment telling a tale with no beginning and no end. Abstractionist Milmar Onal is a painting graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. Aside from participating in multiple exhibits, he also worked for TV and theater production. Onal also took several courses in Electronics that led him to develop a practice inspired from his observations of electrical flow, currents and circuitry.
VIsceneTY will be on view from May 15 - 24, 2018 with the Artist Reception scheduled for May 15 at 6PM. Galleria Nicolas is located on the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries, contact Galleria Nicolas at +63(2) 625-0273 or +63(917) 534-3942 or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
As a development on his earlier exhibit at Galerie Joaquin, visual artist Mischa's current works take off from the solid bold colors done with expressionistic swathes. In his latest body of works, however, a galactic perspective welcomes its viewers with the artist adding softer hues and tones to balance out the heavy and earthy streaks.
Letters From Earth unfolds with artworks that are a personified observation and appreciation of the artist's sentiments about the cosmos. Here, Mischa’s series of abstractions address the expansiveness of the universe itself. In a quiet attempt to comment on the human question of existence and its intricacies, Mischa utilizes an interplay of pronounced and thicker palettes combined with softer, more muted hues to present nebula-like compositions.
Letters From Earth will run at Galleria Nicolas from February 13 until February 22, 2018. Galleria Nicolas is located at 3F Art Space Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City.
The interstellar locus of this his latest solo show encompasses an attempt by the artist to tackle the unknown and the undefined through a complex technique of layering resin swathes on canvas and on fiber mat. This exhibit encourages its audience to become willful participants in Mischa's existential inquiries, seemingly manifested in his artworks. These elements altogether create an illusion of an infinite sphere of philosophical musings though a glorious burst of colors and an elegant manipulation of space
Michael Toms Semana (b. 1975) is a two-time semi-finalist in the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence Awards. As he slowly builds up his resume as an artist he is maturing well in the field of abstract expressionism through his consistent use of emotional splashes and strong sense of color harmony.
For inquiries, please contact 625-0273 or email info@gallerianicolas.com
The world is too diverse to be under the light of so many perspectives. Today, humanity has evolved into a large body of separate but ever-growing identities--culturally, socially, politically, and psychologically. Various events have influenced the core of human decision-making, led by the subconscious grounded on basic instincts emanating either from physiological or emotional sources. Humanity's experiences enhance these throughout different courses of life. In Penuliar’s view, the progression of life is what can be learned from the past, anchored in the present, and improved on in the future. Humanity holds on to experience just as tightly as how they do with life. The growth of human life and behavior are enhanced because of experience. The diversity of the world is congruent with man's unparalleled power to move on. And it is because of this that one fundamental concept stands out—acceptance.
In hyperrealist painter Jaspher Penuliar's latest exhibition, he embraces the nuances of the human heart when it comes to the idea of acceptance. "My paintings are based on the reality of our need for acceptance," he quips. Entitled The Moment of Eternal Surrender, the exhibit is anchored on man’s fully accepting what has happened and is bound to happen. The paintings here magnificently express the dichotomy between acceptance and rejection/resistance.
Significantly peppered with symbolisms, Penuliar emphasizes that acceptance comes in many forms. Using perhaps one of the most compelling and difficult events that test an individual's will to accept, he aptly wraps the idea of death as a recurring element through the presence of mummification. "[It's] like a practice that says we cannot fully let go of the death of those who are dear to us. Mummification seems like a 'delusion' of letting them live again."
Two other prominent elements also appear in several of his works--eggshells and katanas. These two are his representations of resistance and rejection. The eggshells, according to him, signify the fragility of choosing to go out of our comfort zone. Being sheltered manifests the idea of comfort, hence, the ease of accepting how things are. However, discomfort is one of the primary reasons for rejection, as seen in his subjects' grotesque positions. The katana, on the other hand, is his symbol for resistance. "It's our way of fighting off the things we choose not to accept," the artist shares." It's our aide in getting through challenges." Furthermore, Penuliar's depth in concept harmonizes with his superb technical skills. With masterful renderings that give off an undeniable contemporary stamina and accurate personifications.
Penuliar was born October 1, 1980. He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, majoring in painting. Staying in his hometown of Laguna, he explores and presents his usual perspectives of humanity trapped by socio-cultural conventions and mores. Yet, in his paintings, Penuliar presents a vision of hope and deliverance bathing his forms with a promising light source as if telling his viewers that in spite of the stark images he paints on canvas that enlightenment and freedom are just on the horizon.
The Moment of Eternal Surrender will be exhibited in the Galleria Nicolas booth, booth C7 at ManilART in SMX Aura, BGC, Taguig City from Thursday, 12 October to Sunday, 15 October 2017. For more information, please call (632) 6250273.
In the sixteen years since he entered the scene as a professional artist, mounting his first solo exhibition “Grand Expressions,” Dominic Santos Rubio has steadily built up his repertoire and reputation. His iconic “people type” oil on canvas paintings depict Philippine identities of a past age: inquilino sharecroppers, principalia landowners, compradores, etc., airily milling about an Old Manila milieu. Now, Dominic returns to his roots as a Paete-born artist, unveiling a new stylistic exploration in an entirely different medium – brass sculpture.
Trained in the commercial arts in the University of Santo Tomas, Dominic worked in advertising and was an artist-in-residence at Pearl Farm, Davao del Sur before catching his break in 2006 – debuting what was to become his signature style. Readily recognizable, his most famous iconography charmingly features larger-than-life subjects towering over quaint miniature background renderings of 19th century Manila panoramas. Similar to the forced perspective photography technique, Dominic places the doll-like figures close to the edge of the picture plane, while depicting the background as dramatically small in comparison. Set against stark monochromatic skies in bold crimson, pale yellow, and muted beige, the artist renders romantic dioramas of what used to be Binondo, Tutuban, Escolta; families attending Sunday Mass in Malolos Church, riding a kalesa down Paseo, or a mestiza de sangley riding a bicycle. Always, Dominic’s figures express a disattached countenance, sporting uniform Sinitic features while they float about on Lilliputian limbs. Their dress, owing to the influence of Damian Domingo’s tipos del pais, seem to hover half a foot or so above their bodies, lending them an inflated ethereal quality that has become the artist’s distinctive mark.
His new series of artworks, a leap beyond the boundaries of two-dimensional depiction into three-dimensional sculpting, is an invigorating new step for Dominic Rubio. Hailing from Paete, Laguna – a municipality known for its artisans and carvers of po-on – Dominic fulfills a long-time aspiration by elegantly translating his strong linear style into the malleable medium of brass. The sculptures feature the familiar social and economic diversity of the Philippines during its time as “The Most Beautiful City in the Far East.” “Crisostomo” is a well-dressed businessman in a top hat and barong decorated with capizdetail; the “Sabongero” is a moustachioed man in a salakot holding a handsome fighting cock; a “Bagoong Vendor” is accompanied by three pots – two on the base and one balanced on the head – and garbed in a homely baro’t saya ensemble; while a family of three candidly habitate “Paseo.”
While still rendered in his people type style, comparing Dominic’s painting and sculpture unearths dynamic changes in his work’s metanarrative. The elongated neck, an allegory for nationalistic pride, is present in a more balanced composition; the minute changes in proportion lending the Rubio figure more harmony. Their complexions are a textured dark brown, befitting of brass’ bright, gold-like appearance that adds a layer of depth to the Filipino’s underrepresented sun-kissed color. Following in the tradition ofminiaturismo, Dominic’s sculptural figures sport intricately decorated accouterments: a woven basket, an embroidered purse, and a stray dog to name a few. As with its use in the 19th century, these minute details are indicative of the subject’s social class and identity constructed through societal roles and the kind of labor expected of them. These markers, forgotten yet familiar, evoke a strange nostalgia; the particular people, places, and professions they characterize are long-gone but the economic stratification remains, as if a specter of the present was precognized in the past, and vice versa. Today, vestiges of Old Manila are hidden in plain sight, but its legacy can still be felt tangibly in our everyday life.
Finally, the most notable difference between Dominic’s painting and sculpture is the absence of the miniaturized panoramic background that contextualizes and activates his paintings’ giantism effect. By casting his figures in solitary profile Dominic takes away the lavish backdrop, yet still the aura of the Pearl of the Orient remains – albeit not unchanged. These characters, extant in the Filipino's collective imagination, carry metonymic worlds on their shoulders without needing to say a word. But by removing them from their 19th century plazas, Spanish/American architecture, and picturesque bahay-na-bato, and literally transplanting them into the present, Dominic allows the nostalgic to enter the contemporary.
As a staunch advocate for the preservation of national cultural heritage, Dominic’s reinterpretation of Old Manila – into both two- and three-dimensional visual media – makes concrete an abstract history. He accords this past with renewed significance while reinjecting its imagery into collective living memory. By depicting pre-war Manila, especially as brass sculpture, not only does Dominic insure that Manila’s golden years will be remembered, he also reforms heritage into a malleable construct. His latest foray into sculptural form is an homage to the colonial Filipino identity carefully balanced between native and imperial, classic and modern; posing questions of identity in a more approachable place. The brass sculptures take ownership of a “traditional” Philippine history as 3-D models, but also as caricatures, opening up a conversation on national identity and Filipino-ness past iconography, essentialism, and primitivism.
Dominic Rubio revitalizes his roots, repertoire, and relevance in this new series of brass sculptures. As tangible recreations of Old Manila, the new series calls to mind similar efforts to adapt and reuse old structures, like the Luneta Hotel and Casa Tesoro in Ermita, the Malate Church, and the much-anticipated Metropolitan Theater. These historic sites and structures are strategically altered in order to strike a balance between identity preservation and utility; Dominic’s sculptures perform much the same. While they are recreations and re-presentations of nostalgia, they are also active expressions of hope for the preservation and re-production of Philippine cultural heritage.
Depicting the landscape through painting and other visual means has an established tradition in Philippine art. Early examples often provided a tableau for religious themes, such as the crucifixion, found in the stations of the cross or in home altars. Early traditions of the vistas and letras y figuras often showed vignettes of city life, where the landscape, as well as the various peoples in their fineries and unique ways of dressing, showed the landscape as an aspect of culture. Luna and Hidalgo both did landscapes of Marikina and the Pasig River. Lorenzo Guerrero is known for his exemplary depiction of the burning of Sta. Ana in the late 19 th century. The 19 th century female artist Adelaida Paterno embroidered Philippine landscapes on fabric using female hair in a manner that makes it look like a European etching. But most notable of the landscape painters would probably be Fernando Amorsolo, who not only depicted genre scenes but pure, unpeopled landscapes as well. His popularity gave rise to a slew of landscape painters who exhibited and sold their paintings at Mabini, and which, because of both the rise of modern Philippine art, as well as the hackneyed technique of many of the Mabini painters, the landscape as a painting genre lost traction among the country’s academicians and culturati. Very few artists who dedicated themselves to landscape painting would reach critical and popular support. Juvenal Sanso, with his poetic imaginary seascapes, based on the fusion of the Philippine coasts with baklads and the coasts of Brittany with the solitary boats and tideline posts, would be one. Among the remainder of this ilk would be Rudolf Gonzalez, who started his career 50 years ago, and has focused on his gleaming interpretations of the tropical sea.
Rudolf Gonzales sold his first painting at the age of 12. This is not a total surprise as he grew up in a family of painters. His father, Rick Gonzalez, is also an accomplished painter. Both of them eventually running a family gallery which was already active in the 1960s. Now 62 years old, Gonzalez is celebrating his 50 years in art through a simultaneous exhibition at Galerie Francesca, in Megamall, and Galerie Nicholas in Glorietta. The exhibition “Sublime Seas: Rudolf Gonzalez’ 50 Years in Art” pays tribute to both the romantic notions and the spiritual aspects of the sea – a subject ironically with very few representation in the Philippines, which is surrounded by it. “Sublime Seas” is the summary of Gonzalez’ experiences of the seas of our country and of Hawaii, where he frequently visited his cousin, another notable painter of the sea, Roy Gonzalez Tabora. Gonzalez’ seascapes provide an array of seascapes where the waves, the wind and light create a dazzling vista, conveying both the ideals of the romantic and the awe and spiritual experience of the sublime.
Sublime Seas: Rudolf Gonzalez’ 50 Years in Art is jointly presented by Galerie Francesca-Megamall and Galleria Nicolas. Artist`s reception will be on Sept. 7, 6:30pm at Galerie Francesca-Megamall. Exhibit runs simultaneously from September 5 to 17, 2017.
For inquiries, please call Galerie Francesca-Megamall +632 5709495/6592667 or Galleria Nicolas +632 6250273 or email galeriefrancesca.mega@gmail.com or gallerianicolas@gmail.com
The essence of life comes from its seemingly random ability to upend the cold precisions and calculations of the universe. In a way, it is a small miracle that life – with all its impossibilities – can spring forth to disrupt the clockwork of the cosmos. Visually, it would make a spectacular rendering—a kaleidoscopic nebula swirl against the darkness of the void.
Painter Ombok Villamor imagines the visual potential of this idea in his series of organic abstract paintings that depict the spontaneity of life. His paintings examine the minutiae of forms in different abstract permutations to create canvases that resonate with energy and verve.
For his latest exhibition, Living Nebulae, he examines the concepts of life as celestial bodies, in organic forms that meditate on the spiritual dimensions of life as contrasted against the coldness of space. The exhibit runs at Galleria Nicolas at Ayala Center in Makati from May 9-18 and will continue his series of life forms, but this time from the vantage point of the ether.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the Third Floor Art Space in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For more information, please call (632) 625-0273, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
Rustom Cleofe “Ombok” Villamor (b. 1979), is a product of North West Samar State University, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture. A professional graphic artist, Ombok has gained recognition from a variety of award-giving bodies, including being a Finalist in the Non-Representational Category at the 2015 GSIS Art Competition, and a Semi-Finalist in the Oil Category of the 2002 ArtPetron National Student Art Competition. A proud Visayan, his works have been included in the prestigious VIVA EXCON Biennale in Bohol and Bacolod.
Villamor uses empty space to contrast dynamic forms, which was inspired by a childhood affinity for the depths of the sea. Mastering these forms, he has experimented on their placements against a variety of fields. In this exhibition, against the backdrop of spatial void, his forms resemble galactic fields—one can imagine the formation of the Milky Way galaxy in his works. Rendering in monochrome black and white only heightens the perception of dynamic interplay, bringing a sense of movement in each painting.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the scope and reach of Villamor’s practice will lead him to one-day becoming one of the definitive abstractionists of his generation. In the present though, we are content to let the artist’s remarkable vision of the universe wash over us as a reminder of its vastness.
Light is the essential component of visual art. How artists are able to capture reflections and refractions is one method to ascertain their skill. Crystals and prisms are thus a favorite – albeit challenging – subject for artists looking to inject energy into their practice. The likes of Ramon Orlina were able to capture this quintessence in glass sculpture, and Juvenal Sanso was able to do it in painting. Into this group, we now add Jomar Delluba, who delves into crystalline abstraction in painting for his latest exhibition, “Prismatic Radiance,” at Galleria Nicolas.
The exhibition runs February 28 through March 10 at Galleria Nicolas in Glorietta IV, Makati City. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space of Glorietta IV, Ayala Center, Makati City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 625-0273, or email at info@gallerianicolas.com
The exhibition represents a new direction for Delluba, who is better known for his whimsical figurative paintings of dancers and ballerinas. Though his figurative work is in very much in demand, the artist has courageously chosen to chart a different, thought-provoking course. His new series is decidedly more cerebral, invoking questions of the nature of light, space and object, and the relationship between light and form.
His new paintings of prisms and crystals, against a neutral, earth-toned background, are explorations of organic geometry. Each painting focuses on singular hues, that bend and mirror light giving them a heavenly glow. The overall impact on the artist’s practice is a deeper oeuvre that showcases an intrepid range, as well as a keen intellect.
Jomar Delluba's practice is one of excruciating detail within a highly-explored technique. After a year of learning drafting technology in college, he started joining and winning drawing contests in his province of Laguna. It wasn't long before he started apprenticing under renowned surrealist Jerry Morada. Delluba has since gained numerous recognitions, which include him being named Juror's Choice at the GSIS Painting Competition. Delluba sees his art as an intensely personal experience.
Works in "Prismatic Radiance" show a new side to the artist, demonstrating an affinity with energy, light, and abstraction within the context of an ever-developing oeuvre.
The great American orator William Jennings Bryan said that destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter choice—a thing that is waiting to be achieved. AiaHalili is a good example of this idea. An interior designer and devout mother who is dedicated to her parish’s causes, Halili is a reluctant artist. Reluctant because she admits to having wanted to be an architect. A family friend convinced her father that architecture was a man’s occupation, and he consequently leaned on the young kolehiyala from Maryknoll (now Miriam College) to try giving fine arts a shot. Halili subsequently enrolled at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, where her dean was National Artist Jose Joya, and among her teachers was National Artist Napoleon Abueva. She majored in painting, while simultaneously taking classes at the Philippine School of Interior Design.
From there, Halili forged a successful career as an interior designer, as well as making religious items for the benefit of her parish. Every so often, she would also exhibit paintings of Marian portraits. But the lure of designing tactile, three-dimensional artworks was too great, and the artist found a fantastic compromise in sculpture. Recalling the basics from her days in UP, she taught herself the advanced techniques of molding and casting, and eventually found herself as one of the select few sculptors who work with cast metals, such as steel, bronze, and gun metal. It is a laborious, highly-nuanced technique that requires patience and skill—but Halili found that the elements of architecture that appealed to her – such as the planning, preparation, and mind for volume – are essential virtues in sculpture. The works she has since made – reflecting the values she places in Filipino traditions, family, and home – will be on display in her one-man exhibition at Galleria Nicolas in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Opening on Monday, November 23, the exhibit is titled “Serendipity,” which is an appropriate title as Halili believes it was fate that led her to sculpture. The exhibition will run until 7 December 2015. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3rd Floor Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. For more information, please call (632) 625-0273, website at www.gallerianicolas.com, or email info@gallerianicolas.com. The nature of Halili’s work is apparent in even the most cursory of examinations. Metal casting is usually only done for large monuments, and Halili’s innovation was to scale the process down to something that can fit in a home or office. Since the works are made of metals, they have a heavy and solid feeling. The process is also excruciatingly detailed, and requires a sculptor with a highly refined skill and sense of weight and volume. Halili first crafts the image in a material such as clay, before she makes a foundry mold where metal is poured in.
To contrast the inorganic feel, Halili also incorporates organic elements such as antique wood to balance her works out—oftentimes, in very creative ways. This is evident in a works such as “Juan Sipag’s Harvest,” where the tree is represented as a bisected wooden branch—of which a lazy carabao sleeps underneath the shade. A sensitive artist, who nonetheless has complete mastery of the advanced techniques needed to create detailed, thought-provoking images of family and nature, Halili’s solo exhibit heralds the arrival of a sculptor to watch out for. Her oeuvre is a refreshing approach on sculpture, breathing new life into what was becoming a staid art form dominated by works of sheet metal. What more, her works are the kind that will appeal of collectors looking to add a certain Filipino je ne sais quoi to their collection.
For Aia Halili however, this exhibition means validation for her decision to seize her destiny as one of the country’s premier sculptors.
This Year's installment of ManilArt2016, Galleria Nicolas is proud to represent Neo-Genre artist Dominic Rubio for his solo exhibition.
For many Filipinos, the past can sometimes offer a vision of long-forgotten elegance and sophistication. Turn-of-the-century Manila of the late Spanish and early American periods was a bustling and prosperous city, and this image is one that resonates with Filipinos eager to recapture the spirit of those times. This nostalgia is what famed painter Dominic Rubio uses as the foundation of his practice.
Rubio’s uses these memories as a jumping point to his unique treatment of figuration. His trademark elongated necks are paired with an acute attention to detail and a respect for thorough research. A brilliant character painter, his subjects are of a historical leaning and therefore wear the details of their historical time-period—costumes, equipment, and even the backgrounds of churches and other colonial buildings all conform to an idyllic reimagining of the past.
It is Rubio's placement of these figures into the realm of heritage and nostalgia that sets the University of Santo Tomas-trained painter apart from other artists. Art critic Cid Reyes once said of Rubio's practice: “Arresting is the punctilious application of pigment and the delineation of the figures…technically adept, Rubio displays impressive workmanship.” It's an attempt to seize that idyllic moment in time - in this case a very dreamy idea of turn-of-the-century Philippine society - through a superb and unrivaled technique. A technique so magical that once can actually see oneself in one of Rubio's works.
Dominic Rubio has had several critically lauded exhibitions in and around the region, including shows in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. He recently and successfully unveiled a mural entitled ‘The Great Promenade of Philippine-American Friendship’ that has become the artistic landmark feature at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC earlier this year. A fixture of international auction houses, Rubio is one of the most celebrated visual artists today.
An artist referred to as a Master indicates a standing within the art community that is both admired and respected. It is bestowed in recognition of the kind of practice that has come to define a certain method or aesthetic—not mere mastery of style, but so clear an identification that the artist has become synonymous with the movement or medium he represents.
So it is with the likes of Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso and Expressionism, for instance; or National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz and bold brushwork; Eduardo Castrillo and bronze and brass monuments; or Raul Isidro and abstraction; Ephraim Samson and watercolor; or Rudolf Gonzalez and landscapes. When these artists are mention, we no longer need to discuss the characteristics of their works, or the ways of the practice. Their names are already accepted as universal descriptors of their styles.
Galleria Nicolas examines the works of these artists in parallel dialogue with each other in this specially-curated exhibition that surveys a fantastic representation of each of these Masters in this years ManilArt2016 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City Taguig.
The past is often remembered through the eyes of the powerful. It is through the deeds of great and ignoble men and women that we understand history. The power of visual art is to refocus this attention to ordinary people, whose lives are often many times more interesting as glimpses of another time. After all, “To walk in another man’s shoes,” as the saying goes, is to know the essence of humanity.
Baguio-based painter Benjie Mallari possesses a practice that is attuned to this notion and his forthcoming exhibition “Walks of Life,” exemplifies his unique approach. His paintings reflect not only the different characters that make up humanity, but also zeroes in on a specific historical time and setting: that of Philippine society before and a little after World War II. “The images are from the 1930’s to the late 1950’s,” says Mallari. “They reference old Manila, focusing on scenes from the iconic Escolta of that era.” His works center on subjects in the act of movement – crossing the street, coming home from work, on the way to school or market – and places them in the vacuum of an abstract background. In this manner, Mallari freezes his subjects as fascinating elements for observation.
His characters, are removed from their contexts and placed in colorful abstract backgrounds. “I am hoping the backgrounds make my work more timeless and more modern making them more relevant to today’s viewers,” he opines. “Everyone remembers old Manila in black-and-white. I want to bring that image into something more contemporary.”
The aesthetics he uses is reminiscent of National Artist BenCab, whom Mallari admits being inspired by. He differs, though, in his insistence on the minute details. His paintings end up being intricate and diverse, revealing an artist very sensitive to the world around him.
This approach is best exemplified by his work “Escolta Crossing,” which is set in the 1930’s and depicts different people from all walks of life at an imagined crossing in Escolta. The perspectives and field depth suggest distance, but the street itself is rendered as an abstract concept—thus allowing us to better connect with the humanity of the subjects. The characters themselves are from all walks of life, surveying the types of residents who inhabited Manila at that time.
“Walks of Life” opens on Thursday, 29 September 2016, 6:30 p.m. at Galleria Nicolas, 3F Art Space Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and runs until October 9, 2016.
Benjie Mallari (b. 1955) is a painter and illustrator. A fixture in the Baguio art scene, where he is friends with the likes of Kidlat Tahimik, he has exhibited at the Tamawan Art Village. Before he moved to Baguio, he was formerly the head of the Art Section of Meralco, and an artist for various newspapers—including Sunday Malaya and The Manila Chronicle. He designed the centennial calendar of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, and jacket covers of albums of works by National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro. He has a degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising, from the University of the East.
Art is a kind of language, used to communicate complex ideas in visual manner. In this way, abstraction reveals a highly nuanced mind that has moved beyond the mere mimicking of reality. When Plato wrote about form, he used the allegory of the cave to demonstrate his point—that the reality we experience are but shadows of perfect forms that exist beyond our level of comprehension. Abstractionists seek to distill the visual reality into a similarly pure form, condensing and deconstructing figurations until what remains is their essence characterized by lines, shapes, and colors.
Perhaps there is no truer proponent of the power of abstraction than Modernist Raul Isidro. Emerging from the formative years of the Late Modernism period in the 1970’s, Isidro’s pioneering print and painting practices used abstracted form to express that boisterous period of Philippine art history. Today, this is reflected in his ability to arrange order from chaos, manifesting works that bridge the discourses of Modernism between the immediate postwar period and the contemporary.
“It is funny because in those days, they said that if you were painting abstract forms it meant you couldn’t draw,” said Isidro of his roots and the nature of abstraction. “But there was something about jumping shapes, from squares, to circles, to rectangles, that is really more honest.”
Raul Isidro re-navigates the concept of abstraction for his next one-man exhibition at Galleria Nicolas, entitled “Light and Shadows.” The exhibit opens on Wednesday, 16 March 2016 and runs until March 31 at Galleria Nicolas in Ayala Center, Makati City. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 625-0273, or email at info@gallerianicolas.com.
Raul Isidro (b. 1943) is a native of Calbayog in Samar. He is a product of the Fine Arts program of the University of Santo Tomas, where he finished with a degree in Advertising. At UST during the period was National Artist Victorio Edades, regarded as the leading advocate of Modernism in the country. It is not surprising that among Isidro during his time at UST were other stalwarts of the Late Modernist period, including sculptors Ramon Orlina and Eduardo Castrillo.
Isidro first exhibited at Solidaridad Bookstore’s Gallery in 1969, at the invitation of National Artist for Literature and Solidaridad owner F. Sionil Jose and has had over 50 solo shows since then. From this first show, the foundations of Isidro’s practice were laid, and he soon became known as a formidable abstractionist, eventually garnering multiple awards such as inclusion in 1979's group of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), and the Outstanding Thomasian Award in 2006--an honor he shares with Ramon Orlina. He also won the Cultural Grant Award from the Australian government in 1981 and was a 1st prize awardee at the Printmakers Association of the Philippines Annual competition in 1972. It was also in 1972 that Isidro began what eventually became a long association with the Fine Arts program of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU), where he nurtured the department which was founded by pioneering printmaker Manuel Rodriguez Sr. Through his tenure at PWU, where he eventually became Director of the College of Fine Arts in 1975, Isidro became heavily involved in printmaking--which also served to enhance his approach to painting. His two mediums served to complement each other in ways that were, at times, revolutionary.
Isidro is known for being dedicated to abstraction as a purist of the aesthetics, which he has always regarded as the highest form of painting. "I was looking for symbols that I could use as themes," the artist told art critic Leo Banesa in 1980. And Isidro uses the depth of abstraction to demonstrate these themes.
These new works give the public a chance to experience the practice of one of the most recognized abstractionists in Philippine art history, as well as educate themselves in the meaning of abstraction. Through his formidable skill and vision, Raul Isidro's practice stands the test of time.
For “Evocations”, the horizons, in their stillness, becomes an image of light and strength with their quietness symbolizing the future and hope. For Vic Bachoco, it is reminiscent of experiences, one building upon the other like the layers of the earth.
Bachoco’s signature boats symbolize more than just basic transportation. They represent the ability of man to work with nature. Rarely has man made a machine that perfectly meets his needs and is as beautiful and graceful as the sailing vessel. As to the aesthetics and the romance of sail, few inventions evoke more emotion than the majestic yachts and square rigged ships fighting through storms and calms to reach a new land and deliver its passengers and cargo safely on a new shore.
In contrast, the water represents the force of living. The ongoing rhythm of the water and the dynamic power of the sea seem to propel the journey. Sometimes it is too fast or rough, other times it may seem too smooth; but each one is sailing under the colorful canopy of the sky into an endless liberty all their own.
Distant yachts catch the sea breeze and sail through a wide seascape, with bright blue skies overhead. There is solace to be found in nature. Vic Bachoco’s seascapes bring with it a sense of calm; encouraging the viewer to quietly dream and breathe.
"Evocations" by Vic Bachoco will be on view simultaneously at Galleria Nicolas Glorietta and Ayala Malls Manila Bay from May 4 – 13, 2021. The Galleries are located at the 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City and at 2/F, Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Parañaque, respectively. For inquiries, contact +63 917 643 6282, email gallerianicolasbayarea@gmail.com or +63 2 8 625 0273, +63 917 534 3942, email info@gallerianicolas.com.
The famous French naval explorer Jacques Cousteau said of the sea that once it casts its spell, “…it holds one in its net of wonder forever.” The idea of the seahas captivated a multitude of artists for generations. Standing on the shore’s edge and watching boats, ships, fishermen, and sailors brave the open sea is a powerful image of hope, optimism, and a respect for nature.
Each artist approaches the sea differently. Juvenal Sanso used a fine expressionist aesthetic, while National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz was bolder in his brushstrokes and colors. Artist Rudolf Gonzalez is unique, in that he takes a highly-tuned grasp of tropical light and shadow to paint romantic works of the seascape.
His latest works in this genre will be displayed in new exhibit entitled “Romancing the Sea.” Running at Galleria Nicolas from October 21-November 3 with an artist reception on Thursday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m., this exhibition demonstrates the artist’s ability to merge vision with a nuanced technique.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3rd floor Art Space, Glorietta 4,, Ayala Center in Makati City, For more information, please call (+632) 625-0273, or email info@gallerianicolas.com.
The mercurial Rudolf Gonzalez is often considered a Master of seascapes and still-lifes. Having a degree in advertising from the Far Eastern University, Gonzalez is exceptionally empathic in his ability to evoke emotions through his visuals. There is an element of realism in Gonzalez's works, but of an idyllic sort that recalls the oeuvre of Fernando Amorsolo in capturing the essence of light, and Juvenal Sanso in establish an emotional resonance with his audience. It isn't all together surprising, then, that the artist counts Rembrandt and John Singer Sargent as his influences--both artists were pioneers in their experiments with light and shadow.
The works on display in this exhibition are truly one-of-a-kind pieces that are representative of Gonzalez’s practice. It's no wonder that Gonzalez has been attracting critical attention in recent years. Having exhibited in expos in Chicago and Los Angeles. His works have been carried by galleries in the US and Japan, and have been sought-after by collectors from all over the world. This exhibition is meant to cement the artist's growing presence in the larger Philippine art community--a presence that will undoubtedly experience more attention in the years ahead.
Collaborative work in visual art is nothing new. There are many examples of two or more artists finding inspiration in each other’s practice for new perspectives. Integrated art, however, is a pioneering approach to collaboration. The dialogue exists by blending existing media with another’s signature aesthetic to not only create an entirely new artwork, but also breathe life into older works.
What if the bar is raised and what would be integrated are the works of two titans of modern art? Galleria Nicolas explores this question for their contribution to this year’s edition of the Manila International Art Fair, or ManilART 2015. From October 9 to 11, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center Taguig at SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, “Two Titans: Aguilar Alcuaz & Castrillo” brings together the practices of two seminal figures in Philippine art history.
The exhibition will be on display in Booth C6 at ManilART, at SM Aura’s SMX Convention Center, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For more information, please call (632) 6250273, or visitwww.gallerianicolas.com
This unique exhibition takes two of the leading figures of the Philippine Modernist period and integrates their works. Modernist icon National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz has a vast and renowned artistic practice that is noted for demonstration of both his intellect and his flair for experimentation. His works ran the gamut between tres maria portraits, landscapes of both Manila and Barcelona, abstracted figurations, and pure geometric or pattern-induced compositions. He also dabbled with the very medium of these works. His abstract mosaics, for instance, used rolled-up paper to create linear waves that exhibited a highly regimented outline of texture and form. On the other hand, Eduardo Castrillo is best known for his prominent public monuments—from the People’s Power Monument along EDSA to the Bonifacio Relief next to Manila City Hall. A sculptor of immense renown, Castrillo’s innovation is in applying the jewelry technique of using metal sheets and scaling them upward to craft out larger works—a long and arduous process. This requires that the sculptor be a talented artist, possessing the ability to translate concepts and ideas into the final monumental sculptures. This exhibition, however, presents to the public a rare opportunity to view Castrillo works that are adaptable to offices and residences downscaled from his monumental sculptures, highlighted by fine abstract sculptures that utilize the artist’s renowned technique and attention to detail.
“Two Titans” is a posthumous interaction between the late Aguilar Alcuaz and Eduardo Castrillo. It is a highly conceptual show as Castrillo will be dovetailing an entirely new collection of sculptural works that integrates the works of Aguilar Alcuaz in his own masterpieces. This will give viewers an opportunity to see the abstract images in various dimensions: in the flat two-dimensional surface of the paintings of Aguilar Alcuaz and the three-dimensional works of Ed Castrillo. There will also be separate works, Castrillo sculptures inspired by the abstract movement as well as Aguilar Alcuaz’s paintings by themselves. A one-of-a-kind approach, this is a fascinating window into the aesthetics and history of Philippine Modernism.
Still life painting, that is artistic depictions of inanimate objects, has a very long history in Western Art. Ancient Egyptian tombs were often decorated with murals of fruit, or various man-made subjects such as vases. Ancient Greeks and Romans established rules of composition, and by the 16th century, still life was recognized as its own genre in Europe. Through these decorative works, artists can express their skill in composition, thus making this genre a demonstration of technical ability. More progressive artists even manage to inject restrained symbolism into these works.
Painter Rudolf Gonzalez embodies this genre through a practice that combines the expressionistic latitude of that emotion with a technique that perfectly captures the interplay of light and shadow in still life composition. His latest exhibition at Galleria Nicolas in Ayala Center showcases his latest works in still life. Called "Still Life Paintings by Rudolf Gonzalez", exhibit opens at Galleria Nicolas on Monday, March 30, 2015 and will run until Saturday, April 11, 2015.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center in Makati City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 625-0273, website at www.gallerianicolas.com or email at info@gallerianicolas.com
The mercurial Rudolf Gonzalez is often considered a Master of still lifes. Having a degree in advertising from the Far Eastern University, Gonzalez is exceptionally empathic in his ability to evoke emotions through his visuals. There is an element of realism in Gonzalez' works, but of an idyllic sort that recalls the oeuvre of Fernando Amorsolo in capturing the essence of light, and Juvenal Sanso in establish an emotional resonance with his audience. It isn't all together surprising, then, that the artist counts Rembrandt and John Singer Sargent as his influences--both artists were pioneers in their experiments with light and shadow.
It's no wonder that Gonzalez has been attracting critical attention in recent years. Having exhibited in expos in Chicago and Los Angeles. His works have been carried by galleries in the US and Japan, and have been sought-after by collectors from all over the world. This exhibition is meant to cement the artist's growing presence in the larger Philippine art community--a presence that will undoubtedly experience more attention in the years ahead.
Pioneering abstractionist Wassily Kandinsky once said that color is a power that influences the soul. Indeed color is used by abstract expressionists to portray the gamut of human emotions. Abstractionists capture feelings through their usage of color, and are thus unimpeded by the deliberated rules of anatomy—making them, in a sense, an almost purer type of artist. Within this realm, we find artist-activist Caress Banson and her abstraction practice, which she uses to benefit a wide range of social issues—urban hunger among them.
At this intersection of social involvement, there is Feeding Metro Manila (or FMM). FMM is a hunger relief charity, and their goal is to be able to support as many meal centers around Metro Manila as they can. Their biggest priority is to feed pre-school and elementary school children who are undernourished. FMM monitors both their physical growth and their academic progress in school.
In the light of this holiday season, Galleria Nicolas partners with Caress Banson for the benefit of FMM, with the hosting of a special exhibition entitled The Color of Life. It will be held at Galleria Nicolas, and features new works by the artist, with which the proceeds of the exhibition will go to fund FMM projects in and around Metro Manila reached through their landline at (632) 625-0273, website at www.gallerianicolas.com, or email at info@gallerianicolas.com.
Color is the dominant abstracted component of the exhibition, with Caress Banson using geometric patterns and bold swaths of brushwork to convey a lively and dynamic impression. Drawing on the traditions of Bauhaus, Paul Klee, and even abstract-expressionist Mark Rothko, Banson imbues her canvases with a sense of buoyancy, springing each abstracted object alive with her fantastic eye for detail.
Her grasp of abstract technique is one reason why we’ve seen Banson’s profile increase in the art community. But it’s her dedication to socio-civic issues that have earned her widespread admiration throughout all sectors of society. Through the sales of pieces from this exhibition, FMM will be able to continue its important charity work and finally put an end to hunger in Metro Manila. For both the art and the good cause, this exhibition is definitely a must-see event.
As the Great Depression ravaged through the United States, Franklin Roosevelt said that people look towards the horizon to find new hope. What is it about that disappearing beyond, where the sky always seems clearer, or the break of day that brings us optimism and hope? When one stands on the edge of the coast, it's as if time stops the moment the sun touches on the sea--making it seem that all things are possible. It is a singular experience of visual beauty that captures the dreams of humanity quite unlike anything else.
Painter Rudolf Gonzalez captures this effervescent feeling through a practice that combines the expressionistic latitude of that emotion with a technique that perfectly captures the interplay of light and shadow in landscapes. Entitled "Horizon," the highly talented Gonzalez presents new works from December 4 to 18, 2014 at Galleria Nicolas in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the Third Floor Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center in Makati City. For more information, please call (632) 723-9418 or email gallerianicolas@gmail.com. Please visit their website at www.gallerianicolas.com.
The mercurial Rudolf Gonzalez is often considered a master of seascapes. Having a degree in advertising from the Far Eastern University, Gonzalez is exceptionally empathic in his ability to evoke emotions through his visuals. There is an element of realism in Gonzalez' works, but of an idyllic sort that recalls the oeuvre of Fernando Amorsolo in capturing the essence of light, and Juvenal Sanso in establishing an emotional resonance with his audience. It isn't all together surprising, then, that the artist counts Rembrandt and John Singer Sargent as his influences--both artists were pioneers in their experiments with light and shadow.
But Gonzalez chose to focus his talent on seascapes. Having spent considerable part of his life in the United States, he developed a close affinity to the island of Hawaii and its picturesque coastline. He was also drawn to that State's large community of Filipino artists. This combination eventually lent inspiration to Gonzalez, who quickly developed a large oeuvre of seascapes.
It's no wonder that Gonzalez has been attracting critical attention in recent years. Having exhibited in expositions in Chicago and Los Angeles, his works have been carried by galleries in the US and Japan, and have been sought-after by collectors from all over the world. "Horizon," is meant to cement the artist's growing presence in the larger Philippine art community--a presence that will undoubtedly experience more attention in the years ahead.
The Philippines is known for its creative take on transportation. From the hardy rural carabao to the colourful city jeepneys, caritelas, calesas, and tranvias, Filipinos love to travel in style. So a journey (or biyahe) around the Philippines becomes a lively and rich adventure, where one can find himself in the company of open and delightful fellow travellers.
Artist Jovan Benito explores this idea of Philippine-style transportation in her new exhibit, “Biyahe,” which opens on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Galleria Nicolas in Makati City. Running until November 26, the exhibit is a fine example of Benito’s ability to capture Philippine folk motifs through a charming aesthetic.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the Third Floor Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center in Makati City. For more information, please call (632) 625 0273, 0915 414 5502 or email gallerianicolas@gmail.com. Please visit their website at www.gallerianicolas.com.
The exhibition sees Jovan Benito at her best, presenting flat renderings of transportation scenes. Using a bright palette, Benito’s works display Fiesta panoramas and classical scenes that demonstrate Benito’s astounding technique. Dominated by that same idyllic glow that exemplifies an Amorsolo, but adapted to suit a contemporary aesthetic style, Benito shows that she has mastered a classical Philippine art tradition.
Taking a cue from her own life growing up on in the rural community of Pakil in Laguna, Benito’s canvases are examples of folk life simplified. Always in abundance in her joyful works of art are happy and idyllic figures that Benito paints in a colorful, attractive, and cheerful way.
As a young artist, Jovan Benito has carefully grown and matured from being an apprentice to her husband, Filipino surrealist, Jerry Morada. She has, however, quickly discovered her own style, technique and palette of colors. Benito’s talent for observing the world surrounding her started as a child watching her artist father work on paintings of movie billboards. But, whatever she picked up from her father, her husband and other Laguna artists, ended there.
A great example of Benito’s aesthetic is “Maiden Voyage,” which depicts a traditional Philippine mode of transportation—the tricycle. In front of a typical market scene, the canvas bursts to life in a cacophony of colors. It is a lively scene that Benito captures with an idyllic deftness that really shows her technical nous. Likewise, we have “Bakasyon sa Taal,” which contrasts the use of a carabao with an automobile, in a sort of pasyal scene that is brilliantly executed in a buoyant manner.
This exhibition is representative of the kind of skill that Jovan Benito possesses. It is an exhibit of energetic and sparkling character, and will bring joy to its audience.
Key moments in a person's life are marked by movement--transitions between one point to another. Heraclitus wrote that the only thing permanent is change, and people are always in the midst of exploration. We are constantly in between different states of being, and these experiences serve to empower us and enlighten our perspective.
It takes an abstractionist like Camille Ver to fully grasp this decidedly abstract concept. Known primarily for her paintings of aggressively abstracted urban landscapes, she now explores the transition between that inorganic integration of forms to the raw spontaneity of nature. In between these two points of view, Ver becomes the mediator of divergent ideas and in effect synthesises a unique approach to contemporary abstraction.
Her efforts come to fruition in her latest exhibition, "Transition" at Galleria Nicolas in Glorietta. Running from June 24 to July 8, the show marks a significant milestone in Ver's artistic career.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 625-0273 or email at info@gallerianicolas.com. Visit their website at www.gallerianicolas.com.
One of the art scene's rising young abstractionists, Camille Ver is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines. As opposed to the common usage of controlled minimalism in abstraction, Ver prefers to use large swaths of brushworks and experiments extensively with color and depth in her practice. Her transitions between inorganic to organic subjects is emphasized by her forceful use of expressive strokes that are tempered by the tec-pen lines.
A reading of these transitions is best encapsulated with her urban paintings--none more representative of her sensibilities than "Untilted." In a very disciplined piece, Ver uses the emotions of the backdrop to silhouette her skyscrapers in a layered orange sunset. The pulse of the city however is indicative in the lines of that the skyscraper shapes contain, evoking set patterns that recall the trajectory of a torrent of electricity. It is also fitting that the painting bring to mind a sunset, as it a great jump point into an exploration into organic subject.
Of this transition, we have "Blue Trunk." A painting of a blue-tinted tree against a yellowing sky, the abstracted aspect is presented in a deliberate flurry of nature. White swirling lines break away from the linear and angular lines in Ver's urban scenes, and this movement is brought about by the artist's own journey in her bold experimentations in abstraction.
The exhibition represents a landmark in the career of Camille Ver, and cements her growing reputation as a leading abstractionist. It is also well placed in today's contemporary art scene as a progressive examination of the nature of movement and transitions. Art lovers are invited to share this journey by visiting the exhibition soon.
The Philippines year is bookended by two seasons: the brilliant colors of summer and the lushness of the monsoons. Each season brings about its own sense of beauty. One of the country’s foremost abstract expressionists, Karina Baluyut, juxtaposes these two seasons in a wonderful new exhibition in Makati City. Baluyut uses her own grasp of hues and texture in an exhibit that is a continuation of her acclaimed series of tropical flora and tides. An expressionist, Baluyut’s technique emphasizes emotion over mimesis, surrounding the viewer with an aura of a calming vigor that reflects the array of emotions each new season brings.
The exhibition is appropriately titled “Two Seasons” and opens at Galleria Nicolas on Wednesday, (tomorrow) November 27, 6:30pm, where part of the proceeds will benefit the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Two Seasons will run until December 10, 2013. Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space of Glorietta 4 in Ayala Center, Makati City. They may be reached through the landline at (632) 625-0273 or email at info@gallerianicolas.com.
Karina Baluyut is an Architecture graduate of the University of the Philippines and a topnotcher in the architectural board exams in 2004. This background in non-linear abstractions that architecture represents enabled her examination in the junction of emotion and the merging of color, shapes, and forms. With the eye of a skilled draftswoman and the sensitivity of a poet, Baluyut constructs new visual realities within the realm of abstraction and reveals the depth of her emotional resonance in works that carry the weight of dissonance, memory, and the awareness of the passage of time.
The works in the exhibition refect this approach and are reminiscent of the seasons they represent. A good example of this is “April Love,” a painting of red flowers that only bloom during the summer. In this painting, Baluyut not only sets about to aesthetically recreate the flora, but she also attempts to link it to an emotion--in this case, love. Summer and courtships are intertwined in the Philippines, and Baluyut has a remarkable grasp of this fundamental idea.
The monsoon, on the other hand, is represented by the tide, which Baluyut uses to represent the smoothening of the old. Buluyut emphasizes water’s primary characteristic of flexibility. Water surrounds and penetrates, and the calming consistency of the tide belies the fact that the coast, in time, bends to its will. The presence of color invigorates this process, and the normally monochromatic tones employed by Baluyut gives way to the vibrancy of hues. An example of this is “The Call of the Tide,” which uses texture to highlight the flexibility of the tide.
Karina Baluyut’s profile is becoming more and more prominent, with this fascinating exhibition promising to be a great chance to survey some of her more interesting works.
Perspective can dramatically change a work of art. What was once hidden at eye-level can be something completely new and different with, say, a birds-eye point-of-view. It takes an artist of wit and bravado to go beyond what is common and explore the different dimensions of what he paints. This also opens up a whole new world for an art-lover who is accustomed to taking in paintings from an ordinary angle.
Richard Arimado (b.1970) is such a painter. Painting birds-eye views of nostalgic street scenes, Arimado takes his audience on a journey of perspective, showing masterly street scenes from above with his figures looking up. Arimado’s distinct compositions use turn-of-the-century motifs that give his paintings a nostalgic aura that is only enhanced by his playful treatment of perspective.
Now, art lovers can view his latest works on display at his latest one-man show. Entitled Top Vieux, the exhibit will open at Galleria Nicolas on November 7, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. and runs until November 20, 2013.
The newly-renovated Galleria Nicolas located at the 3rd Floor Art Space in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City hosts this much awaited Arimado exhibition. Inquiries may be directed to their landline at (632) 625-0273 or email at info@gallerianicolas.com.
Richard Arimado was born and raised in Manila and has always had an inclination towards the visual arts, studying Drafting Tech at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and later Advertising at the Panday Sining Art Study Center.
The defining characteristic of Arimado’s art is that of a perspective. Arimado paints his subjects from the topview, in the act of looking up, pausing as if to examine the audience staring down at them. His vision of turn-of-the-century motifs shows a strong nostalgic tendency of our cultural past and of the artist's, as Arimado explores various aspects of the Philippine way of life. Freezing mid--walk was perhaps a luxury long forgotten, but successfully captured by the artist with wide--eyed curiosity.
For his latest exhibition, Arimado expands the settings of his paintings. Depicting his figures in boats along the Pasig River, or in the Tutuban Train Station, or in the plaza rotunda of a church, Arimado once again goes beyond his comfort zone and brings us to places of memory through the fantastic viewpoints that elicit playfulness and a cutting sense of humor. These paintings are wonderful guides of what our cities once were at the height of its greatness. In this manner, Arimado is also a painter of memory and history—but from the vantage point of idyllic nostalgia.
This lighthearted approach has seen collectors recently snapping up Arimado pieces. An Arimado artwork is perfect in the family room or den—where collectors can reminisce about a bygone era. Internationally, Richard Arimado is gaining much recognition in the art scene. In the recently-held charity auction of International Care Ministries in Hong Kong, Arimado’s 30 x 36 oil on canvas painting “Old Manila” fetched HK$39,800, or Php211,000. With his profile rising, Arimado’s latest exhibition has become a must-see art event and it would be a shame for any collector to miss it.
If the eyes are a window into one’s soul, how does one account for a camera lens? Mobile technology today has enabled practically anyone with a cell phone to become a photographer. Paradoxically however, the spread of cameras into such ubiquitous devices has also renewed interest in vintage photography and photographic images. Mobile apps such as Instagram and Hipstamatic have popularized filters that emulate older cameras, spawning a community of vintage photography enthusiasts who collect antique medium format cameras such as Hasselblads and Rolleis.
Through his canvas paintings, artist Almer Moneda surveys this interest in photography in a new show at Galleria Nicolas. Entitled Cranium-Matic, the show will run from July 29 to August 7, 2013 at the newly-renovated Galleria Nicolas at the 3rd floor Art Space of Glorietta 4 in Ayala Center, Makati City. For more details, please call Galleria Nicolas at (632) 625-0273 or email them at info@gallerianicolas.com. Please visit their website at www.gallerianicolas.com.
Currently residing in the art town of Paete in Laguna, Almer Moneda (b. 1987) is no stranger to visual arts. His degree in drafting from Laguna State Polytechnic University has given him a superb eye for anatomy and an ability to accurately depict mechanical devices. In Cranium-Matic, Moneda merges these two techniques into a surreal and hyperrealist oeuvre that brings some perspective to the photography community. Ideas such as the occasional voyeuristic tendencies of photographers, the “decisive moment” of photography ideologue Henri Cartier-Bresson, and the rules of composition are explored in a brilliant practice that recalls some of the most noted surrealist careers in art history.
Aside from the typical mimetic oil-on-canvas depiction of vintage Leicas and Rolleis, Moneda also attaches the cameras to the heads of various figures—adults, children, and even pets like dogs and cats. The degree of complexity in the details is a unique technique that Moneda has developed and reflects his drafting skills. A winner of various art competitions in Laguna, Moneda’s practice relies on an understanding of the world he portrays. He is an avid photographer and likes to collect vintage cameras, giving him that first-person viewpoint for his subject.
This exhibition is a great opportunity for art collectors to acquire works from a young and emerging contemporary artist. What’s more, photography buffs will lobe the attention to detail that Moneda imbues in his works. In any case, this is definitely an exhibition that should be visited.
Nothing is as important to the Filipino as family. And the typical Filipino family encompasses more than one’s immediate relatives—members in a Filipino family share all the trials and triumphs and go through life helping each other through thick or thin, regardless of whether one is directly related by blood or via extended families. The concept of an extended family comes naturally to every Filipino, and builds the foundation for his character and his relationship with the bigger world.
Noted sculptor Glenn Cagandahan explores the nuances of the Filipino family in his latest exhibition, Pamilya, at Galleria Nicolas. Opening on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m., Pamilya looks at the very essence of the idealized Filipino family in an idyllic rural setting. Featuring new sculptures and reliefs by the artist, Pamilya is a celebration of the Philippine family, as well as an examination of its essential characteristics.
The newly-renovated Galleria Nicolas, located at the 3rd Floor Art Space in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City is host of this much awaited exhibition. The exhibit runs until May 18, 2013. Inquiries may be directed to their landline at (632) 625-0273 or email at info@gallerianicolas.com. Works can also be viewed at www.gallerianicolas.com
Glenn Cagandahan (b, 1977) is a sculptor of folk imagery and subjects, known particularly for his small mixed media sculptures of farmers and their families on carabaos. Trained at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, Cagandahan’s practice seeks to establish Philippine cultural identity through the usage of rural genre scenes—a familiar motif in Philippine visual arts. Cagandahan distinguishes himself by adding another dimension, his scultures becoming idyllic representations of rural family life. Through his usage of these motifs, he presents a vision of a calm, peaceful, and simple life. Cagandahan presents traditional motifs in new ways—by placing them in mid-journey atop the very symbol of the Philippine character: the industrious and iconic carabao.
In Pamilya, Cagandahan pushes these motifs even further. Colorful family groups ride atop of a carabao, undoubtedly on their way to a family picnic. It’s Cagandahan’s unique reliefs, however, that truly exemplifies the essence of pamilya. Bayanihan, a work that shows a family carrying a house in the traditional way, shows how extended the Filipino family is—encompassing numerous titos, titas, cousins, and nephews. Fruit Vendor is a relief that shows a more traditional scene—mother and child, behind a fruit stall. Colorfully done, and with a sculptural technique that makes Cagandahan one of the foremost sculptors in the country today.
These reliefs brings much variety to the interested collector—providing him or her with the ability to hang the work on a wall as one would a paining, but occupying the volume of a sculpture. But it’s the theme of family that would draw an audience—Cagandahan skillfully taps into the very soul of every Filipino and reminds them of the essentialness of family and the need to help each other. In this sense, anyone looking to instill his or her home with the same set of values would find this exhibition interesting.
Galleria Nicolas curates the holidays of 2012 with a selection of cheerful and festive fine art pieces from its in-house artists.
Save the date on your calendar with a pink sticker because Galleria Nicolas Joins Affordable Art Fair Singapore for its 3rd edition. With a total of 86 Singapore-based and international galleries, you will be blown away! Pick from a variety of contemporary artwork, from paintings to sculptures, prints to photographs, all priced within the range of $100 - $10,000, with 75% of the works below $7,500.
Happening for the 3rd time at the F1 Pit Building from 15-18 November 2012, Affordable Art Fair is the perfect opportunity for you to start or add to your art collection as well as being a wonderful chance to enjoy a simple and relaxing day with friends and family.
ManilART is the largest visual arts fair in the Philippines today. It is slated to run from October 2 to October 6, 2012 at the SM Exhibition Center (SMX) in Pasay City. Now on its fourth year, it will exhibit over forty of the top visual art galleries nationwide representing over 500 artists. We seek to be a destination art event in Asia. Our aim is to promote Filipino visual arts and artists to the international market right here on our home front via a one-stop five day showcase of the best that the Philippine visual art scene has to offer.
Welcome the New Year with the brilliance of colors and the subtle energy of nature with new works by one of the country’s foremost abstract expressionists, Karina Baluyut. Juxtaposing the tabula rasa effect of the incoming tide (albeit with the multihued usage of fuschias, purples, and oranges) with the continuation of her acclaimed series of tropical flora, the architect-turned-painter indulges in a technique that emphasizes emotion over mimesis, surrounding the viewer with an aura of a calming vigor that no doubt echoes the best of our hopes at the start of the year.
Baluyut is an Architecture graduate of the University of the Philippines and has topped the architectural board exams in 2004. This background in non-linear abstractions that architecture represents enabled her examination in the junction of emotion and the merge of color, shapes, and forms. With the eye of a skilled draftswoman and the sensitivity of a poet, Baluyut constructs new visual realities within the realm of abstraction and reveals the depth of her emotional resonance in works that carry the weight of dissonance, memory, and the awareness of the passage of time.
Her new show, “Blooms and Tides” absolutely revels in this sensibility. Opening on January 25 at 6:30pm at Galleria Nicolas in Ayala Center in Makati, the show will stay there before moving to Galerie Joaquin Podium on February 1 to 7, 2012.
Galleria Nicolas is located at the 3/F Art Space of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. They may be reached through their landline at (632) 728-0124 and email at gallerianicolas@gmail.com. Galerie Joaquin Podium may be reached at (632) 634-7954 or email at podium@galeriejoaquin.com. Please visit www.gallerianicolas.com for more information.
The tide is an appropriate starting point. Representing the smoothening of the old, it is a telling sign of the new direction of Baluyut’s oeuvre, particularly focusing on the usage of water’s primary characteristic of flexibility. Water surrounds and penetrates, and the calming consistency of the tide belies the fact that the coast, in time, bends to its will. The presence of color invigorates this process, and the normally monochromatic tones employed by Baluyut gives way to the vibrancy of hues, recalling her recent experimentation with flora.
The juxtaposition of the tidal representations with blooming flowers is a natural one—the overarching idea is one of nature. And her new works in the series, originally inspired by a trip to Japan, displays the effervescence of tropical flora and all the tonal values. Blending well with the tide, Baluyut’s strong sense of the beauty of nature as a metaphor for one’s emotional experience is a powerful trope.
“Blooms and Tides” promises to be a show that shouldn’t be missed.
At seventy-one, Raul Isidro can successfully lay claim to being one of the most senior living Filipino visual artists of our time. The 1979 TOYM and 2006 Outstanding Thomasian Awardee has not given a day’s rest since his first burst to fame in the late Sixties and early Seventies with his distinct abstractions that derive their inspiration from nature. As Armando Manalo once wrote, Isidro was like National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, Rodolfo Samonte, and Mars Galang among the brightest stars of the Philippine Modern Art filament of the 1970s. This distinction was borne out of two inspiring moves: to anchor his work on abstract meditations of natural phenomena, and to instill in his memory the vibrancy of his idyllic childhood spent in the magnificent isolation of Calbayog, Northern Samar.
Known for his trademarked circular paintings with deep red gestural strokes and segmented shaped forms that he lightheartedly refers to as his Pakwan series, Raul Isidro’s backstory is as compelling as any Filipino’s who had to overcome great odds to survive and prosper. Spending his youth in Calbayog gave the young Raul fortitude and the sense of independence needed to survive the often-hard weather and living conditions. Coming to Manila to study at University of Santo Tomas for a degree in Fine Arts, Isidro imbibed the spirit of Modernism via mentors like National Artist Victorio Edades and Angelito Antonio. Among his classmates at the UST were the master of brass sculpture Ed Castrillo and glass master sculptor Ramon Orlina. Among his early colleagues in the art scene were surrealist Raul Lebajo and Lamarozza. His sense of adventure and artistic direction was also set by his friendship with Manuel Rodriguez, Sr. who introduced him to printmaking. A lifelong passion for Raul, it was through the unconventional techniques of printmaking that first garnered for him accolades at the Shell National Student Art Competition. His first solo show at La Solidaridad Gallery in 1969 alerted critics to his unique ability to fuse technique with a naturalist sensibility that was linked to another Modern free spirit, the National Artist Jose Joya.
In his latest solo exhibition at Galleria Nicolas at the 3rd floor of Glorietta IV and which opens Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 6:30 pm and runs until March 26, 2014, Raul Isidro continues to amaze audiences by his formal adaptation of abstract techniques that evolve into more surprising interpretations of nature. (Galleria Nicolas, 3/F Art Space, Glorietta 4 Ayala Center, Makati City, www.gallerianicolas.com, tel: 02 625 0273, 723 9418) Consisting of pairs or trios of column-shaped gestural abstracts with clear-cut outlines superimposed on a neutral gray ground, the resulting series of works plays with the abstract legacy of using triadic formal elements (warm-cool-neutral colors, or foreground-middle ground-background combinations) as building blocks to create the impression of a series of “floating rocks” a la Magritte. These painted “rocks,” which to some may remind them of the karst limestone islets of Coron Bay, are actually grounded on a more intimate memory: the sea rocks that jut on the breakwater of Calbayog when the artist was a boy. These indomitable creations of nature are associated by Isidro with virtues of determination and fortitude, and symbolize the strength needed to overcome adversities thrown our way by fate. Inscribed in each “rock” is a history of strokes and careful maskings that Isidro has overlain to produce a richly textured painting that reverberates in both natural simplicity and stylistic sophistication. Indeed, to master the art of painting rocks without showing them as such is a testament to the mastery of a Filipino Modernist like Raul Isidro.
Light affects visual arts in a number of profound ways. An artwork's ability to work with light - through techniques such as illumination and shadowing - allows us to cast judgment on its merits as a masterpiece. Familiarity with the usage of light is particularly nuanced when viewing works of sculpture, and the skill of an artist is tested by his ability to bend, reflect, and refract light. So it isn't surprising that the likes of imminent master sculptors Ramon Orlina and Michael Cacnio are well versed in the interplay between sculptural material and luminescence. When their new works are combined with and highlighted by the renowned abstract canvases of painter Carlo Magno, the resulting exhibition will be nothing short of breathtaking.
It is fitting then that these three artists open the recently renovated art landmark in Makati, Galleria Nicolas. The exhibition, Lumina, opens on 6:30pm, Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Galleria Nicolas, 3rd Floor Art Space, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. The gallery may be reached though their landline telephone number at (632) 625 0273, or email at info@gallerianicolas.com. Please visit their website at www.gallerianicolas.com. Exhibit runs until February 9, 2013.
Ramon Orlina can perhaps be regarded as the country's foremost sculptor. His pioneering and multi-awarded practice of using glass to create both abstracted and figurative artworks is often heralded as unmatched by any artist, both here and abroad. His recent forays into other materials - such as carved amber crystal - underscores his absolute mastery of light. His “Sunrise in El Nido II” is a cacophony of light bouncing and reflecting off the carved amber crystal in a myriad of ways, leaving the viewer transfixed as Orlina manages to convey the atmosphere of a sunrise over a fantastic destination spot like Palawan. The intrepid artist uses the material's natural interaction with light and dominates its direction. In “The Archer,” Orlina uses his more familiar carved green glass and constructs a plausible figurative archer-only abstracted to an extreme angular dimension and using available light to give the artwork weight.
Although younger than Orlina, Michael Cacnio has nonetheless gained a measure of renown on the back of a brilliant sculptural career incorporating a variety of material. His bronze works of genre, in particular, has seen his name uttered in the same company as National Artist Napoleon Abueva. The abstracted figurations also have an uncanny Filipiniana quality, with scenes such as his “Mango Vendor” of a roving farmer selling his fruit; or his “Father and Son,” with their attire of simple peasant garments and bygone pastimes like flying a kite. For Lumina, Cacnio delves into a completely new aspect of his practice-lighted sculptures that illuminate portions of the artwork, lending an ethereal quality to an already fascinating concept. So we have works such as “Meditation,” with the meditating figure illuminated with a soft-blue light from within, suggesting he figure is close to reaching enlightenment.
Carlo Magno complements these two heavyweight sculptors with the characteristic abstractions that have seen him become one of the foremost abstractionists in the country. His casual yet complex familiarity with light and how it interacts with aspects of abstraction like color and lines only serves to prove his lofty place atop the pinnacle of Philippine contemporary visual art.
Lumina surveys three of the most sought-after artists and examines how their practice plays with light. A fitting opening to the new Galleria Nicolas at Glorietta, it is definitely an exhibit worth going to.
This year saw the 150th birth anniversary of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, with the art community staging memorable events and exhibitions honoring his legacy. Indeed, in this new stage of nation-building, the country needs the guidance of his works and memory more than ever. Patriotism, pride in our country, and a belief that the Filipino can match up with the best of the world are things that Rizal has instilled in us as a people that remain relevant at the dawn of this new century. It is in this context that this year’s Rizal Day on December 30 becomes an even more solemn occasion—highlighting not only gratitude for the sacrifices he made, but faith that his teachings will lead our country towards a brighter future.
In recognition of his memory and building on his legacy, Galleria Nicolas is proud to hold an exhibition of works inspired by Rizal’s legacy. Featuring works from some of the finest contemporary artists in the country, the exhibition entitled “Rizal Legacies” Runs from December 26, 2011 through January 4, 2012. Galleria Nicolas may be contacted at (632) 728 0124 or by email atgallerianicolas@gmail.com. Their website is www.gallerianicolas.com.
It is the spirit of our National Hero that moves the hands of these painters—and allows them to showcase their exceptional talent. Amador Baraquilla uses the face of Dr. Rizal in contrast to a wave in the form of the national tricolours—perhaps drawing attention to the force of Rizal’s influence. Dexter Simsim shows how Rizal implicitly guided the 1896 revolution via his portrait above that of a revolutionary reading his “Noli Me Tangere”. Noted artist Jaypee Samson continues his distortions of form with his piece entitled “Bet ni Rizal,” a piece that shows the figure of a modern-day student which recalls Rizal’s poem “A La Juventud Filipina” and his persistent belief in the power of education—a theme that is followed up by Sam Penaso’s brilliant portrait of a student entitled “Batang Rizal.” Joey Simsim, on the other hand, takes the handwritten manuscript of Rizal powerful satire, “Noli Me Tangere,” and superimposes the hero’s image on it creating the dominant image of the author and the masterpiece being one and the same—and reinforcing the authority of the written word in effecting change. Aljo Pingol Renders his interpretation through his signature Chagall-inspired forms. Kirby Roxas does something similar, using his trademark geometric textures above Rizal’s mouth under the words “Noli Me Tangere”—commenting on the pervasive issue of censorship that we still grapple with 150 years after his birth.
Jomar Delluba uses Rizal’s identification with the bourgeoisie illustrado group by dressing him in the clothing of the modern-day middle-class Filipino: that of a chic polo shirt while Dominador Larroza plays with his characteristic use of symbolisms, metaphor, and surreal tropes by literally highlighting Rizal’s genius through his glowing head: which in retrospect may also act as an allusion to the near-sainthood status we’ve bestowed on him.
Definitely a show worth seeing, Rizal Legacies promises to be a honourable salute to our National Hero that can’t be missed.